Wondrous Jewels by Sotheby's!
Evoking an Era of Discovery! By Sotheby's announces Wondrous Jewels- Evoking an Era of Discovery! In the not so distant past, it was believed that a person of distinction, taste and learning ought to have a cabinet of curiosities. These rooms of wonder are personal collections filled with extraordinary objects that tell stories of natural marvels and flights of human imagination. The idea for such a collection was born in Europe in the 1500s, and was in all respects the precursors of modern-day museums – presenting non-specialist and pre-scientific collections of every possible heirloom from explorations and travels around the world. In earlier times when the ability to travel was a luxury, these rooms brought the wonders of the world, including strange specimens and exotic artifacts from distant lands, together in one context. More than just amusements for the wealthy, these displays augmented awareness and understanding of the mysteries of cultures that came before them.