Ancient artifacts on exhibit in Shawnee

SHAWNEE, Okla. (AP) _ An exhibit of gold jewelry and terra cotta and marble sculptures from ancient Italy has gone on display at the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art. <br/><br/>``We've had several people

Wednesday, June 2nd 2004, 11:13 am

By: News On 6

SHAWNEE, Okla. (AP) _ An exhibit of gold jewelry and terra cotta and marble sculptures from ancient Italy has gone on display at the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art.

``We've had several people who actually teared up at the beauty of the gold, particularly the gold wreath,'' said Debby Williams, director and chief curator at the Mabee-Gerrer. ``People are really awe-struck at the beauty of it.''

``Unveiling Ancient Mystery: Etruscan Treasures,'' hosted by St. Gregory's University, opened Tuesday. This is its only U.S. stop.

The items, including more than 200 pieces of gold jewelry, is from the private collections of Italian Prince Fabrizio Alliata and the Gregorian-Etruscan Museum of the Vatican Museums. It marks the first time that many of the Vatican Museums' pieces have been exhibited abroad, and the first time the gold jewelry ever has been exhibited.

The exhibition, which will remain on view through Oct. 31, has been brought to Oklahoma by the National Exhibits Foundation.

Before Rome's rise as the dominant world power, Etruria was the first great civilization of ancient Italy. The Etruscan civilization thrived between 950 and 300 B.C. in the current-day regions of Tuscany and Umbria in northern Italy.

The Etruscans were highly accomplished artisans who rose to power, then disappeared, leaving behind many unanswered questions concerning their origin and their influence. They were famous for their gold jewelry, which shows highly advanced metalworking skills.

Etruscan artists created pendants featuring human faces and echoed nature through flowers, acorns and leaves. The still bright and lustrous jewelry featured in ``Etruscan Treasures'' was crafted in exquisite detail sometime between 500 and 700 B.C.

``One comment we received from another historian today was about how well-organized the exhibit is in explaining who the Etruscians were,'' Williams said. ``We want our visitors to see and appreciate the gold, but we want them to learn about who the Etruscians were and their contributions.''