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RAPAPORT... More than 20 intricately carved and lifelike animal sculptures by gemstone carvers Gerd and Patrick Dreher will go on exhibit at the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) in Carlsbad, California, beginning February 19. The Dreher family, whose legacy dates back five generations, is part of the 600-year gemstone carving tradition in Idar-Oberstein, Germany, a major center for the cutting and carving of gems. “Generations of Mastery: Gemstone Carvings by Dreher” will be on view through summer 2015. “Pieces by the Dreher family are among the most admired gemstone carvings in the world,” said Terri Ottaway, the curator of the GIA Museum. “Their sophisticated designs and artistry have been refined and passed down through generations. We’re incredibly fortunate to be able to share the Dreher family’s extraordinary craftsmanship.”  The House of Dreher has created celebrated pieces since the late 1800s and in the mid-twentieth century, the family gained further acclaim for their work with design house Fabergé. Today, their carvings can be seen in museums around the world and in private collections. Dreher creates sculptures using many different gem materials, but a favorite of the design house is natural agate from Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Gem carvings in GIA’s “Generations of Mastery: Gemstone Carvings by Dreher” depict a chameleon, a starfish and a frog perched on a lily pad. Pieces in the exhibit include jasper, agate, tourmaline, ruby in zoisite, smoky quartz and grossular garnet. The collection is on loan to GIA from the Larson family from the nearby town of Fallbrook. GIA’s museum is free and open to the public Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Reservations are required and must be made at least 24 hours in advance by emailing guestservices@gia.edu or calling 800.421.7250, extension 4116.
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