An exceptional collection of objects made of this precious fossil resin. After Argenti a Pompei and Egittomania, another important exhibition closing the fortunate series Un anno al Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli.
“Their messenger, a very cunning fellow, came to my father’s house bringing a necklace of gold with amber beads strung among it; and while my mother and the servants had it in their hands admiring it and bargaining about it…” Odissea, XV, vv. 459-464. This exhibition aims to reveal to the public one of the most precious materials coming from the past which has always had a great economic and symbolic value. Next to materials belonging to Soprintendenza dei Beni Archeologici of Naples and Caserta, on display there will also be loans from Italian museums and important foreign institutions. Each item will be contextualized in its place of origin in order to give an accurate picture of the artistic production of amber and of the routes for supplying this precious resin. Moreover it will describe the economic, social and ritual processes which determined its distribution.