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
The Pearl (novel) Trombone and Wind Symphony (2004) was inspired by "The Pearl". The Pearl (novel) The Pearl is a novella by American author John Steinbeck, first published in 1947. This story is about a poor family which is more likely described as native Americans, who discovers an enormous and valuable pearl. The novella explores man's nature as well as greed, defiance of societal norms, and evil. Steinbeck's inspiration was a Mexican Folk Tale from La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico, which he had heard in a visit to the formerly pearl-rich region in 1940. In 1947, it was adapted into a Mexican