Van Sipma Jewelers

The Flemish Diamond Dealer This highly realistic portrait of a Flemish diamond merchant indicates the pride that he took in his profession. It is interesting to note that at this time diamonds were portrayed as black in paintings with no attempt to show any flashes of light. This is because the first diamond that man valued was the natural crystal with its perfect octahedral symmetry, mirror like surface and adamantine lustre. It reflected back almost all the light that fell upon it. Only much later did man master the art of faceting and unlock the sparkle that we know today.

A Jewish Wedding This particular fine manuscript illustration depicts an elegant Jewish wedding in Mantua in 1436. It is interesting to note that here the right hand is presented to receive the ring. It comes from a Talmudic manuscript of the Four Orders (Arba Turim) in the Vatican Library.