Dream on

When I was a kid the one single dream I had was to be a helicopter pilot and a famous Egyptian archaeologist all rolled into one. My lifetime goal would be to find an ancient intact tomb with more treasures than the world had ever seen, and after that, I would then discover how the ancient Egyptians built the pyramids. Not an easy goal, except the closest I got to being a helicopter pilot was being in their general proximity or standing near them while in the U.S. Navy. The nearest I came to being an archaeologist was roaming in and out of old Boston Harbor Civil War fortifications that were in ruins and off-limits to the public in the late 60s. A friend of a friend’s Dad knew the keeper of the fort’s keys and my little group of “Harbor Explorers” had special permission to explore. (Hmm? Harbor Explorers, Harbor Goldsmith, I think I see a pattern here?)  

As a teenager, the closest I ever got to seeing The Valley of the Kings in Egypt was to attend the King Tut exhibit at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. 

My fascination with Egyptian artifacts did not end along with my unfulfilled dreams; when as a teenager I became an apprentice goldsmith, I simply altered my dreams. I was still fascinated and perplexed with the wonders of ancient Egypt, it wasn’t just the engineering mysteries of colossal pyramids and statues - it was the craftsmanship of the little things, such as the magnificent royal jewelry and wondrous articles they created out of solid gold without iron or steel tools. The skills they had are non-existent and impossible to reproduce today        

As a kidI practically lived in the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. I have visited the Smithsonian Museum twice, in the past twenty-five years of my life, I have also visited many museums throughout Europe,and my favorite is the Louvre in Paris and the numerous surrounding museums “The City of Light” has to offer.  

Also, my travels to Amsterdam, Brussels, Berlin, Munich, Dresden,Rome and Florence.All these cities have one thing in common besides great food, wine and beer…They possess world-class museums with thousands of pieces of jewelry from the ancients, and not just the Egyptians - there are so many spectacular works of art to feast my eyes on (jewelry is considered an art form).Exquisite pieces from the Greeks and Italy’s little-known civilization, the Etruscans, then there is the old Roman Empire era.  

When visiting The Green Vault in Dresden, Germany I was astounded by a vest coat that belonged to one of the dukes of the Royal House of Saxony. It was adorned with large three-carat plus rose-cut diamond buttons and a spectacular seventy-carat diamond brooch. The collection had over 3,000 individual objects! I recently discovered that in smash and grab theft in November of 2019, more than 90 pieces were stolen, including those buttons and brooch! 

I’m sure you catch my drift here…I love going to these places, I can spend half an hour staring at one showcase attempting to analyze the construction of a pair of 1,100-year-old22kt. gold Byzantine earrings. 

Want a sure way to bore the loves of your life to tears? I refrain from bringing my wife and kids to any European museum when I want to spend the whole day and take a slow cruise through the exhibits. Besides cramping my style, it’s not worth the pain and anguish of listening to them complaining they have had enough of looking at room after room of old stuff! So, I send them off to go shopping instead!  

My museum ramblings influenced my designs of the jewelry I have been creating for over half a century. I love the ancient design of rings or bracelets set with precious gems without prongs, and they last a lifetime and longer. The simple designs of Roman and Greek jewelry are timeless and a joy to possess and wear.  

Many of the world’s greatest sculptors/goldsmiths, such as Benito Cellini, came from Florence, Italy, during the Renaissance. Art flourished there, and many famous pieces of jewelry were created for the house of the Medici. The Medici family were yesteryear billionaires.  

I may not have found the ancient treasures of the world unless you consider a Civil War cannonball a treasure? I got over being disappointed I never got my pilot’s license. 

In reality, I did something even better. As a lifelong goldsmith, I created my own treasures out of gold and precious gemstones for so many years for so many people to enjoy for generations to come. 

Richard Alan is a designer/goldsmith and owner of The Harbor Goldsmith, Marco’s Island Jeweler since 1994. He welcomes your questions and comments about “All That Glitters” and “The Jeweler’s Daughter.” www.harborgoldsmith.com.