As part of the “Poetry of Birds” exhibition at L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts in Dubai, this online talk will explore the fascinating connections between falconry and jewelry, a dialogue between cultural heritage and precious arts.
Practiced across many civilizations and inscribed on UNESCO’s “Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity”, falconry has long been a symbol of power and refinement. In the Arabian Peninsula, it remains a vibrant and prestigious tradition, one in which falcons are not only esteemed for their remarkable hunting skills, but also celebrated as princely companions worthy of precious adornment.
From bejeweled hoods to the falcon as a motif in high jewelry, we will examine how this majestic bird has inspired artisans across cultures and will explore the symbolic and aesthetic significance of these unique representations.
Online Talk:
Monday, December 8, 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. (Dubai time)
Conversation in English with simultaneous interpretation in French, Arabic, Cantonese, Mandarin and Japanese
Monday, December 8, 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. (Dubai time)
Conversation in English with simultaneous interpretation in French and Arabic
Register
Speakers:
With Dr. Anne Lise Tropato, Art Historian at New York University Abu Dhabi and Specialist in the Cultural History of Falconry,
Marie-Laure Cassius-Duranton, Exhibition curator, Art Historian and Gemologist at L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts
& May El-Hage, Art Historian and Lecturer at L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts.
Portrait of Prince Azam Shah,
Opaque watercolor and gold on paper, 1660–1675, India
The Art Institute of Chicago, Illinois, USA