Derived from the Roman word “aqua,” meaning “water” and “mare,” meaning “sea,” the serene March birthstone, aquamarine, certainly does recall the clear blue of the ocean. The ancient Romans believed that aquamarine was sacred to Neptune, the God of the Sea, having fallen from the jewel caskets of his sirens and washed ashore. Early sailors […]
After an endless winter, New York City is finally experiencing the first signs of spring, and we’re thinking of “Rising Spring” by English artist George Arthur Gaskell. This lovely oil painting of a classical muse, draped in flowers, invoking the spirit of spring from the murky skies, is one the most renowned works by the […]
It’s Cupid’s busiest day. The chubby cherub is now the ubiquitous symbol of Valentine’s Day, but in the Hellenistic period, Cupid was a handsome youth and a minor deity who only had one feature myth: the tale of Cupid and Psyche in which the god of love is brought down by his own amorous arrow. […]
Due to its brilliant hue of purple, the longstanding color of power, the amethyst has been associated with royalty since its early history. A very old gemstone, the amethyst was used as a decorative stone by prehistoric humans 25,000 years ago, on the tombs of early Egyptian pharaohs, and on English regalia in the Middle […]
Last week, we profiled Winter Art Around the World. This week, we take a closer look at one of our favorite artists of the snowbound world at the Manhattan Art & Antiques Center: Hasui. Japanese artist Hasui Kawase (1883-1957) was one of the great masters of shin-hanga, an early 20th century art movement that revitalized […]
The perfect stone for embarking on a new year, garnet, the January birthstone, has long been associated with journeys. Derived from the Latin word “granatus,” which is related to the word “pomegranate,” garnet was named thus due to its resemblance to the deep red, seed-like fruit when in its natural form. In Greek mythology, it […]
“Snowy Night, Korea” by Paul Jacoulet, woodblock print, Japan, 1939. Akasaka Collection This past week, much of the country has been in the frigid grips of the polar vortex, a blast of Arctic air that has brought us glacial temperatures, bitter winds, and some mesmerizing snowscapes. Here, we’ve gathered some of The Manhattan Art & […]
Colored woodcut (woodblock print), “Road of the Morning” by Gustave Baumann, signed, titled and numbered (97/100), American, c. 1915. An early work, possibly of the Hoosier Period. Height: 12″; Width: 10 1/2″Leah Gordon Gallery If you’re in New York City today, the fall of stray snowflakes has already signaled to you that autumn is all […]
Multicolored Tourmaline stone & 14K gold chain convertible necklace, American, 1950s. Antique Reflections Gallery. Appropriately for the month with the best changing fall colors, October’s two birthstones, tourmaline and opal, are best known for their varied hues. According to EarthSky, tourmaline is a stone that “exhibits the broadest spectrum of gemstone colors. Gem-quality forms of […]
Pin, fashioned as a floral spray, multi-colored sapphires and 18KT gold, American, circa 1980; Clifford Baron Gallery. September’s birthstone, the sapphire has long represented purity of the soul. In the Middle Ages, the clergy wore sapphires to symobolize heaven and to protect against temptations, and commoners believed it to attract heavenly blessings. Among its roots, […]