From the earliest times, the southern shores of the Baltic Sea have been associated with the gathering, trading and working of amber - a natural substance which has been long valued by man.

Featuring some of the finest items from the Polish national collection, this new exhibition, ‘Amber: Treasures from Poland’ offers a unique chance to see some fascinating and beautiful artefacts which represent both natural history and northern European craftsmanship. This is the first time that these items have been exhibited in the UK.

Most are from the famous Malbork Castle collection in Poland which has an important national collection of Baltic amber artefacts. Also included is the famous Gierłowska lizard from the Gdańsk Amber Museum, as well as a collection of insects trapped in amber and some historical amber artefacts from the Hunterian collection. Miniature baroque amber cabinet of King Stanisław August Poniatowski (the last king of Poland). Made in Gdańsk after 1771. Donated by Lady Barbara Carmont of Edinburgh to the Malbork Castle Museum collections in 1979. © Malbork Castle Museum.

Amber is found in many varieties of colours and forms and amber from the Baltic region of Europe is one of the most abundant in the world. It is used around the world for medical or spiritual wellbeing, for adornment or decoration, and for scientific reasons.

This exhibition introduces amber from prehistory to natural history; it looks at how people related to amber from the Stone Age onwards and at the incredible techniques and skill of the amber craftsmen who created some of the finest examples of amber art ever seen.

The launch of a new book ‘Amber: Tears of the Gods’ (Dunedin Academic Press) will coincide with the opening of the exhibition. It has been written by Dr Neil DL Clark, Curator of Palaeontology at the Hunterian.

‘Amber: Treasures from Poland’ is at the Hunterian Art Gallery, University of Glasgow, from 5 February until 17 April 2010.

‘Amber: Treasures from Poland’ has been generously supported by The Chancellor’s Fund and by the the Adam Mickiewicz Institute as part of POLSKA! YEAR.

POLSKA! YEAR comprises more than 200 events promoting Polish culture in the UK. The project takes place under the patronage of HM The Queen and HE The President of the Republic of Poland. POLSKA! YEAR is co-ordinated by the Adam Mickiewicz Institute and supported by the Polish Embassy and the Polish Cultural Institute in London.

To find out more visit www.PolskaYear.pl

Further information:
Dr Neil Clark, Curator of Palaeontology, Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery
Email: n.clark@museum.gla.ac.uk
Telephone: 0141 330 3599

For images contact:
Harriet Gaston, Communications Manager, Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery
Email: H.Gaston@museum.gla.ac.uk
Telephone: 0141 330 3310

Hunterian Art Gallery
University of Glasgow
82 Hillhead Street
Glasgow G12 8QQ

Open Monday - Saturday, 9.30am - 5pm
Closed Sundays

www.hunterian.gla.ac.uk/amber/ 

First published: 3 February 2010

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