Exhibitions Archive - Medieval and Renaissance
Staffordshire Hoard
The Staffordshire Hoard was found in July 2009 by Terry Herbert, a metal detector enthusiast decided to try his luck in farmland close to his home near Lichfield, Staffordshire. The items he discovered – over 1,500 pieces of beautifully crafted gold and silver from the 7th century Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Mercia - amount to the most valuable treasure hoard ever discovered in the UK, worth £3.3 million. A selection of Staffordshire Hoard artefacts is on display in Gallery 16. These include 20 artefacts previously unseen.
24/07/2010 – 31/12/2011
>Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, Birmingham, B3 3DH, UK
Anglo-Saxon Hoard:Gold from England’s Dark Ages
On July 5th 2009, Terry Herbert, a metal detector enthusiast, discovered the largest collection of Anglo-Saxon gold ever found. From farmland near Lichfield in Staffordshire, England, Terry and a team of archaeologists unearthed more than 3,500 pieces from hundreds of individual objects dating to about 650 A.D. Valued at close to $5 million, the hoard includes exquisitely crafted artifacts, most of which are military in nature. More than 100 of these artifacts will be on exhibition at the National Geographic Museum including elaborate gold and garnet sword fittings, decorative elements for helmets, crosses, and a gold strip bearing a Latin inscription from the Bible. Don’t miss the only U.S. appearance of the Anglo-Saxon Hoard!
29/10/2011 - 4/03/2012
National Geographic Museum, Washington, D.C., US 20036, USA
Treasures of Heaven: saints, relics and devotion in medieval Europe
This major exhibition brings together for the first time some of the finest sacred treasures of the medieval age. It features over 150 objects drawn from more than 40 institutions including the Vatican, European church treasuries, museums from the USA and Europe and the British Museum’s own pre-eminent collection.
23/06/2011 – 9/10/2011
The British Museum, London, UK
The Medici Treasury. From collections of the Silver Museum and other museums of Florence.
The display, presented in the One-Pillar Chamber of the Patriarch's Palace, is one of the gala performances organized within the series of exhibition projects, which are intended to present the world famous collections in the Moscow Kremlin. It introduces our visitors to magnificent rarities of the XVth-XVIIIth centuries from the Medici treasury. Today its major part is preserved in the Silver Museum in Florence, located in the in the Palazzo Pitti. For many centuries this palace has been the chief residence of the powerful dynasty. The Medici, having been both the ruling family of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany from its inception until 1737 and generous patrons of culture and the arts, initiated a phenomenon, that we now call "collecting", and managed to assemble a vast collection of precious artifacts, which has become a model for the succeeding generations of sovereign collectors as well as a prototype of future European museums. The fact that the flourishing city of Florence was considered to be an artistic capital of Italy during several centuries was to a large extent the merit of the Medici family. Without their patronage it is impossible to imagine the development of art collecting as well as the development of the Italian art from the Renaissance to the Age of the Enlightenment.
20/05/2011 - 1/08/2011
One-Pillar Chamber of the Patriarch's Palace, Kremlin, Moscow, Russia
Oro dai Visconti agli Sforza. Smalti e oreficeria nel Ducato di Milan
Gold from the Visconti to the Sforza. Enamels and goldsmith's work in the Duchty of Milan
For the first time, an exhibition will trace the history of goldsmith's work in the Duchy of Milan between the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, testifying to its quality and predominant role, through 60 masterpieces from the most prestigious collections both public and private, Italian and international, including the German Essen Cathedral, the Louvre in Paris and the National Gallery in Washington. A catalogue produced by Silvana Editoriale will accompany the exhibition.
30/09/2011 – 29/01/2012
Museo Diocesano, Milano, Italy
Splendour & Power: Imperial Treasures from Vienna
With its roots in the medieval family treasure of the House of Hapsburg, the collection that is today contained within the Kunstkammer was once safeguarded in the Imperial Treasury in Vienna. These objects, almost all of which are unique creations, were designed to demonstrate the incredible wealth, power and glory of the Hapsburg dynasty, and only visitors of noble birth - such as princes of neighbouring countries or diplomatic delegations - were permitted to enter the treasure trove. Now, audiences to this landmark exhibition can follow in their footsteps and experience the opulence and grandeur of this glittering collection for themselves. The exhibition, which is the only UK showing of this amazing treasure, will feature: Exquisite jewellery, from necklaces, pendants and lockets to rings and enseignes, complemented by pre-eminent examples of medieval and Renaissance jewellery; Intricate portrait cameos, many of which bear the likenesses of the Hapsburgs sovereigns crafted in the style of ancient Roman imperial portraits; Ornate goldwork, vessels and coffers, including a bowl featuring embedded Roman coins, and a serpentine tankard; Stonework, carving and sculpture, with precious objects crafted from agate, jasper, rock-crystal and lapis lazuli, including a cup made from rhinoceros horn and a Chinese jade bowl.
16/08/2011 – 8/01/2012
The Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge CB2 1RB, UK
Glanz der Macht – kaiserliche Pretiosen aus der Wiener Kunstkammer In Kooperation mit dem Kunsthistorischen Museum Wien
The Splendour of Power - Hapsburg imperial Jewellery from the Kunstkammer in Vienna
Beauty, distinctiveness and glamour distinguish these imperial jewels from the Kunstkammer in Vienna, itself a jewel among Kunstkammers. These were status-enhancing qualities intended to illuminate their wearers. The exhibition will show precious and exquisite pieces of jewellery, State insignia, and objets d'art made from precious hardstones.
03/12/2010 – 13/02/2011
Schmuckmuseum, Pforzheim, Germany
17/04/2011 – 24/07/2011
Stiftung Moritzburg - Kunstmuseum des Landes Sachsen-Anhalt, Halle (Saale), Germany
The Treasure of San Gennaro
For the first time in history, the most prestigious works of the legendary Treasure of San Gennaro will be exhibited to the public at the same time in the beautiful sites of six different museums in Naples. The Treasure contains seven centuries of donations of popes, emperors, kings, rulers, famous people and ordinary people. Thanks to the ancient institution of the Deputation of the Royal Chapel of San Gennaro, the treasure is intact since 1527, having never suffered spoliation or theft or financed wars. Napoleon himself, who plundered everywhere he went, not only took nothing, but had to give San Gennaro a monstrance of gold, silver and precious stones of superb beauty and refinement. For the privilege of being considered worthy of being part of the Treasure of San Gennaro all the donated works correspond to high quality artistic and cultural value and were made by the great artisans of the time.
9/04/2011 – 6/01/2012
Museo del Tesoro di San Gennaro, Royal Chapel of San Gennaro, Duomo di Napoli, Complex Girolamini, Historical archives of the Banco di Napoli, Diocesan Museum, Naples, Italy
Schätze des Mittelalters – Schmuck aus dem Staatlichen Archäologischen Museum Warschau
Treasures of the Middle Ages - Jewellery from the National Archaeological Museum in Warsaw
This exhibition will present 440 pieces of jewellery from Slavic cemeteries, medieval castle walls and discoveries. The sites are in what is now Poland, Ukraine and Belarus. The beautiful earrings, bracelets and necklaces are made of silver, bronze and gold, glass, semiprecious stones and amber. They represent jewellery styles of the western and eastern Slavs. Thus, the Slavic culture of the Middle Ages is displayed in all its glory and abundance. Accompanying the exhibition is a catalogue produced in cooperation between the Warsaw Museum and the National Museum in Brandenburg.
12/02/2011 – 08/05/2011
Museum in der Kaiserpfalz, Paderborn, Germany
Moravian-Silesian Frontier in the Time of John of Luxembourg
A major exhibition to celebrate the 700th anniversary of the accession of the Luxembourg dynasty to the Czech throne. Highlights of the exhibition will include part of the Bohemian royal treasure that was discovered in the Polish Silesian town of Sroda Slaska in the 1980s, and the crown of Blanche of Valois.
15/12/2010 - 31/03/2011
Ostrava Museum, Ostrava, Czech Republic
Ivory in Bruges. Treasures from museums, churches and monasteries
This is an exhibition of precious and delicate jewels. The collection of ivory art works comes from Bruges churches, monasteries and museums. Most of these exceptional objects are of religious origin, but there are also a number of buckles and even an early hairpin. These unique pieces, some of which date back to the 12th century, are brought together for the first time in the medieval wards of Saint John’s Hospital.
29/04/2010 – 7/11/2010
Memling in Sint-Jan - Hospitaalmuseum, Bruges, Belgium
Precious and Beautiful. Cameos and intaglios of the Medici
Gem collecting was one of the most fascinating aspects of the rediscovery of antiquity which characterised the Renaissance. As of the first half of the XV century, cameos and intaglios were much sought after by popes, princes and cardinals, on several occasions indeed giving rise to harsh disputes between admirers who were even ready to spend large sums to secure themselves the desired piece. Presenting a select number of pieces of exceptional quality from the most important Italian and foreign museums, the exhibition will illustrate the complex history of this treasure, starting from its formation by Cosimo, Piero and, especially, Lorenzo de’ Medici who reserved a special place to cameos and intaglios in his art collections.
25/03/2010 – 27/06/2010
Museo degli Argenti, Palazzo Pitti, Florence, Italy
Treasures of the Middle Ages. Slavonic jewellery from the National Archaeological Museum in Warsaw
This exhibition is presenting the finest and most elaborate early medieval jewellery from the collections of the Museum in Warsaw. The objects were found in Poland, Belarus and Ukraine.
06/10/2009 – 10/01/2010
Stadtmuseum Halle - Christian-Wolff-Haus, Halle, Germany
Charles the Bold
For the very first time, this fascinating and important historical figure has been made the subject of an international exhibition. Having visited Bern and Bruges, the exhibition can now be seen - considerably extended - in Vienna. Amongst other things, important items of the famous " Burgundy Booty " are on display. Parts of the exhibition can also be seen in the Treasuries . This historic insight is supplemented with multimedia features, talks, workshops and presentations.
27/03/09 – 21/07/09
Groeningemuseum, Bruges, Belgium
15/09/2009 – 10/01/2010
Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna, Austria
Crossing the Sea with Fortuna. Saxony and Denmark – Marriages and Alliances mirrored in Art (1548-1709)
A major joint exhibition by the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden and the Royal Collections at Rosenborg Palace in Copenhagen will draw attention to a political alliance that was an important factor in European history – namely, that between Saxony and Denmark. Among the large number of works on display will be important paintings, precious items of jewellery, delicate turned ivory objects, medals and glasses, as well as princely tools, ceremonial weapons and courtly robes.
24/08/2009 - 4/01/2010
Residenzschloss, Dresden, Germany
13/02/2010 - 24/05/2010
Rosenborg Palace, Copenhagen, Denmark
Europe in flames - Art of the Migration Period
The 150th anniversary of the birth of Johannes Freiherr von Diergardt is the occasion for the museum to show masterpieces of the goldsmith's art from the period of profound changes in Europe, a very turbulent period between late antiquity and the early Middle Ages. The baron built a stunning collection of antique and early small artworks, which extends from the Scythians to the Vikings, from western Europe to the steppes of Russia. The core of the famous collections preserve a legacy of the Migration Period - now among the most precious treasure of the Roman-Germanic Museum.
19/06/2009 - 15/11/2009
Römisch-Germanisches-Museum, Cologne, Germany
Anglo-Saxon Art in the Round
This new exhibition from Colchester and Ipswich Museum Service digs deep into what is a fascinating piece of our past, displaying rare items that have never been shown in the area before. On show to the public for the first time ever are weapons from an Anglo-Saxon burial ground, the Coddenham Bed Burial. They were given to fallen women and warriors as vital equipment on their journey into the afterlife. Another popular outlet for Anglo-Saxon artistry was jewellery, and the elegant and ornate Boss Hall Brooch from Sproughton is on display alongside many other examples of the craft.
13/03/2009 - 5/09/2009
Gallery 3, Ipswich Town Hall Galleries, Ipswich, UK
Roman to Renaissance: A private collection of rings
An exhibition devoted to a private collection of thirty-five rings dating from 300 to 1600 AD, from the Paris gallery LES ENLUMINURES. The collection comprises fine examples of rings from the Merovingian, Byzantine, Medieval and Renaissance periods including marriage rings, seal rings, stirrup rings, tart mould rings, iconographic rings, merchant rings and gemstone rings.
12/5/2009 – 22/5/2009
Wartski, London, UK
Treasures of the Black Death
Two extraordinary hoards of jewellery, including the three earliest known examples of Jewish wedding rings, from the Jewish quarter of Colmar, France, and Erfurt, Germany, go on display in Britain for the first time.
19/2/2009 – 10/5/2009
The Wallace Collection, London, UK
Jewels of Europe. The treasure of Sroda Slaska
In May 1988, a hoard of silver and gold coins was unearthed at a demolition site within the medieval town centre. Several days later, gold ornaments were found at the municipal landfill among the rubble from other sites in the Old Town. Considering the date, the treasure was probably hidden and its location, as well as the character and style of the jewels, it seems likely that they belonged to the Bohemian rulers of the House of Luxemburg and were pawned to the Jewish bankers of Sroda Slaska under the reign of the Emperor Charles IV (1346-1378).
19/11/2008 – 29/03/09
National Museum in Wroclaw, Poland
Wunderkammer. Cabinets of curiosity. The treasures of Palazzo Abatellis
Wunderkammer were usually workrooms of the Renaissance courts, stately mansions of the rich or the libraries of the monasteries where collectors collected and jealously guarded objects that testify to the grand synthesis between art, science and nature. This exhibition will show fifty extraordinary works of art of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries which belonged to the nobles and monks, and from the Regional Gallery of Palazzo Abatellis in Palermo, including wonderful artificial objects or ornaments from nature (such as coral, ivory and precious woods) that surprise (such as the nautilus shell decorated with miniatures and motifs in silver) or artistic reworkings by man (works in glass and brass).
19/12/2009 – 9/02/2010
The former Tobacco Factory, Catania, Italy
The Dream of a King: Dresden’s Green Vault
Masterpieces of goldsmith and jewellery art, valuable items of amber and ivory, as well as vessels of precious stones and elaborate bronze statuettes belong to the selected objects. Next to the original art works from the collection of August the Strong, the exhibition presents needle-sharp photographic reproductions of the walls of the Historisches Grünes Gewölbe, which will convey an authentic impression of the original Baroque arrangement of the works of art to the visitor.
1/11/2011 - 26/01/2012
Museum of Islamic Art, Doha Harbour, Qatar