Gemstone Carvings: Masterworks by Harold Van Pelt

The Bowers Museum is very proud to have the opportunity to exhibit the carving of Harold Van Pelt. Van, as he is known to his friends, is best known, along with his wife, Erica, as perhaps the finest gem and mineral photographer in the world. Thousands have admired their work. Yet, few realize that Van has been pursuing another art, the art of stone carving, for over 35 years. This exhibition at the Bowers is the first opportunity for the public to see the full, entire body of work assembled in one place. The carvings are made of quartz, rock crystal, or agate, a banded variety of quartz. These same materials were used by gem carvers in ancient times because of their beauty and durability. Many visitors will be surprised to learn that these exquisite containers are not glass "crystal" that has been molded or blown, but rather natural quartz that has taken untold hours of grinding by hand to produce. Hundreds of hours go into each multi-faceted, fluted, and textured vase, hollow container, sculpture and vessel, many of which are accented with gold and semi-precious stones. One of the most incredible pieces is a faceted egg, which in itself isn't all that unusual. When you take a close look at Van's faceted egg, however, you'll notice a major difference. Van's egg is hollow, and the walls are only 3 mm thin! That is what makes his work so special and rare, and why it is so important for the Bowers Museum to present: Gemstone Carvings: Masterworks by Harold Van Pelt. Transformed by one man's vision and skill from a solid stone to an incredibly delicate work of art, the gemstone carvings of Harold Van Pelt have to be seen to be believed.