Some of the more extravagant personal possessions of King Kalakaua went on display under glass for the first time at 'Iolani Palace yesterday.

The exhibit in the jewelry gallery includes a gold cigarette case drizzled with 99 diamonds, a trio of emeralds and a quartet of rubies — the 1881 birthday gift from the king's sister-in-law Po'omaikelani.

On display with the case are a pipe carved from a white mineral known as meerschaum, a cane chiseled from a narwhal tusk and another cane made of wood and gold. They are joined by an engraved, gold cigarette case and a 122-year-old watch from Switzerland, palace curator Stuart Ching said.

An ornately carved calabash bowl and an accompanying stand are available for viewing in the palace's music room.

The exhibition began a few days before the palace honors the 172nd birthday of King Kalakaua, who built the palace 126 years ago. The birthday celebration is set for Sunday with a concert and Royal Guard review.

Curators in recent decades have recovered many artifacts taken following the overthrow of the monarchy in 1893.