(Above) Miniature baroque amber cabinet of King Stanislaw August Poniatowski (the last king of Poland). Made in Gdansk after 1771. Donated by Lady Barbara Carmont of Edinburgh to the Malbork Castle Museum collections in 1979. © Malbork Castle Museum
Exhibition: Amber: Treasures from Poland, Hunterian Art Gallery, University of Glasgow, until April 17 2010
The Hunterian's latest exhibition offers a unique opportunity to see some fascinating and beautiful pieces representing both natural history and northern European craftsmanship.
Hermes. © Malbork Castle Museum
This is the first time any of the pieces have been exhibited in the UK, celebrating the long-standing association between the southern shores of the Baltic with the gathering, trading and working of amber.
Most of the pieces are from the famous Malbork Castle collection in Poland, as well as the notable Gierlowska lizard, from the Gdansk Amber Museum, and pieces from the Hunterian's own collection showing insects trapped in amber.
Insects and plants are depicted, chosen from Polish collections. © The Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery, University of Glasgow
The exhibition traces amber from prehistory to natural history, including the value by given to it by people and the incredible techniques and skill of the amber craftsmen who created some of the finest examples of amber art ever seen.
Amber treasures from Poland is taking place as part of Polska Year, coinciding with the publication of Amber: Tears of the Gods, a book by Dr Neil DL Clark, Curator of Palaeontology at the Hunterian.
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