Walters Partners are invited to preview Luxury & Loss: Feather, Shell, Tusk, Horn before it opens to the public.

Select a time between 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. to reserve your visit of this exciting exhibition.

Space is limited inside the galleries. If this time slot is no longer available, please select another option between 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. by using the link to the right.

Some of the most luxurious historical objects in Asian, European, and American art were made from four natural materials taken from the animal world: kingfisher feathers, tortoise shell, rhinoceros horn, and elephant ivory. For centuries, these materials were desired by the powerful and wealthy. However, the cost to wildlife, coupled with a growing environmental consciousness, led to all four materials being banned from use in artworks starting in the 20th century.

Luxury & Loss: Feather, Shell, Tusk, Horn takes a deep dive into the history surrounding objects made from these materials. The exhibition showcases remarkable examples of each of the four materials and looks at how art and luxury goods made from wild animal materials testify to the enduring human desire to capture the beauty and power of wild animals while exploring contemporary responses to society’s evolving relationship with nature.