Mother-of-pearl carving in Bethlehem Mother-of-pearl carving in Bethlehem Mother-of-Pearl carving, a traditional handicraft in Bethlehem, is said to have been brought to the city by Franciscan friars from Italy in the 15th century. Bethlehem's position as an important Christian city has for centuries attracted a constant stream of pilgrims. This generated much local work and income, also for women, including making mother-of-pearl souvenirs. According to Weir, Bethlehem women's employment in the mother-of-pearl industry goes back at least to the seventeenth century. It was noted by Richard Pococke, who travelled there in 1727. Previously, most of the oysters for the mother-of-pearl supply came from the
Pearl Eytinge Pearl Eytinge Pearl Eytinge (1854–1914) was a New York-born actress, author, producer, playwright and activist who once said "“There is no vice on earth of which I have not partaken”". Her addiction to drink and drugs ended her stage career and it was said of her that: "“Pearl Eytinge the women slew Pearl Eytinge the artist”". In later years she lectured on the dangers of drug taking. When Pearl’s mother, Margaret Winship, met and later married Sol Eytinge, she had two children from previous relationships. Her son, James S Wyckoff, kept the name of his biological father whilst Pearl adopted