Amazing Amber

By David Ross

 

A treasured decorative artifact, amber has also been revered for its perceived magical powers, crafted into charms and amulets to heal or ward off evil. It is a fossilized sticky resin that oozed from ancient pine trees, embedded with insects and plant life that came to inhabit the material. Some photos include minute details, right down to the facets of eyes of insects or minute hairs of plants that could be as old as a million years. This most sublime gift of nature has been utilized in so many ways - from Stone Age people down to today's jewelers

Used for centuries as a decorative artefact, amber was also treasured for its perceived magical powers, crafted into charms and amulets to heal and ward off evils spirits. Amber also has the unique capacity to preserve fragile life that is millions of years old, opening a special window into the past. At the National Museum of Scotland 10 May-8 September highlights of its amber collection plus loans from the V&A will be brought together for the first time. With over a hundred illustrations, Amazing Amber reveals the origins, properties and uses of amazing amber.

The publication accompanies a stunning exhibit that combined loaned gemstones from the esteemed amber collection of the Victoria and Albert in London with highlights from the equally remarkable pieces at the National Museum of Scotland. A small book, but a gem.

Andrew Ross is a Curator in the Department of Natural Science, National Museums Scotland.

Publisher: NMS Enterprises Limited - Publishing/Woodstocker Books
Territory: USA & Canada
Size: 6.75 in x 9.5 in
Pages: 48
Illustrations: 100 color
Paperback -

$21

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