David Yurman Sponsoring New Met Show

New York--A modern jeweler is supporting an exhibition that showcases ancient gold and luxury items.

David Yurman is one of the major sponsors of “Golden Kingdoms: Luxury and Legacy in the Ancient Americas,” a new show that opened last week at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

The exhibition features more than 300 objects from over 50 museums across 12 countries. It shows the development of gold and other luxury art pieces from approximately 1000 B.C. to the early 16th century, when Europeans arrived in Latin America.

In the ancient Americas, metals like gold, silver and copper had spiritual connotations, and were used for regalia and rituals rather than as tools.

The items’ origins span from Mexico to Peru and include crowns, pectorals, pendants, necklaces, ear and nose ornaments, labrets, masks, mantles, goblets, and more.

Much of David Yurman’s work is inspired by ancient forms; his iconic cable design references a visual concept present in Renaissance Italy and Ancient Greece.

“As an artist and sculptor, I’ve always been fascinated with ancient jewelry from different time periods and geographic areas and how it became the means to make historical forms contemporary,” Yurman explained to National Jeweler. “The twisted linear motifs found throughout history have always captivated me, including the antique torques at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.”

Yurman’s support of Golden Kingdoms is a way for him to give back to his community, while cementing his status as a New York City brand.

“The Met Golden Kingdoms exhibit is reinforcing the David Yurman brand’s ongoing commitment to supporting the arts, as well as strengthening our brand’s roots in New York,” he said. “Sybil and I have always had a personal connection to the Met—we started coming here on weekends when we were first dating, and we still love to come here to wander our favorite exhibits.”

Most of the items in Golden Kingdoms are being presented outside of their home countries for the first time.

The show will run through May 28. More information is available on the Met’s website.