Thursday evening when the temperatures were plunging and the wind was whipping between buildings in the Gold Coast, huge pools of flames stood tall and hot around the entrance to the Richard H. Driehaus at the blustery corner of Erie and Wabash.  

The preview party to open the museum's latest exhibition, Maker & Muse: Women and Early Twentieth Century Art Jewelry, was packed with eager jewelry admirers happy to brave the evening's elements for a first look at an unsual collection of artistic jewelry. 

About a year and a half ago, the museum began utilizing its impressive Gilded Age space to showcase related exhibitions.  The first show was devoted to Tiffany glass, and the latest showcases more than 250 pieces of art jewelry, much of which was designed and made by women artists. The impetus for the show comes from Mr. Driehaus's own collection - he noted in his preview remarks that he personally owns over 500 pieces; the piece that sparked his passion during a trip to London was unfortunately already spoken for, by the Metropolitan Museum of Art. He's clearly done just fine since that initial loss, and many of his personal pieces are part of the show. Many others are on loan from other significant private and public collections, and many works have not been publicly displayed before. 

The exhibition features more than 250 stunning pieces of art jewelry created between the late Victorian period and World War I. During this vibrant period, jewelry makers in the world’s centers of design created audacious new styles in response to the growing industrialization of the world and the changing role of women in society. Their work—boldly artistic, exquisitely detailed, hand wrought, and inspired by nature—became known as art jewelry.

Viewers of the exhibition will recognize many design elements from the art, fashion and architecture hallmarks of the time, though when applied to jewelry, there is something both timeless and fresh about them. Stop into the Driehaus musuem to warm up in its rich, cozy rooms and admire these unusual and personal creations. 

Maker & Muse: Women and Early Twentieth Century Art Jewelry

February 14, 2015 - January 3, 2016