Gemstone Carvings On Display In Orange County Museum

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed)
Aug 22nd 2010 at 8:01AM

The Bowers Museum in Santa Ana, California is showcasing "Gemstone Carvings: The Masterworks of Harold Van Pelt." Harold Van Pelt has created delicate carvings out of quartz, agate and other stones, a pastime he's had for 40 years but rarely showcased. Van Pelt and his wife Erica have a long history with the museum and photographed two gem show catalogs for the museum. The exhibit is the first in the Bowers' new PIMCO Foundation Gallery.

Shown at right is a carved agate drinking vessel with a gold capped nose. The Orange County Register has a comprehensive review of the show that highlights some of the amazingly detailed pieces created by this 85-year-old artist. He has carved bowls, drinking vessels, eggs, and even an anatomically correct copy of his wife's hand out of agate. Another beautiful piece is a skeleton hand made of milky white chalcedony. Van Pelt has never sold a piece but it is likely that they could sell for $25,000 to $100,000. The display is open until May 2011 and tickets are $12 for adults. After it closes next year it will likely travel to the Carnegie Institute in Pittsburgh.

Tags: bowers museum, gemstone carvings, museum exhibit, museum exhibition, santa ana