The Treasure of Oignies, a magnificent treasure of 13th century gold and silverware, is set to leave Belgium almost entirely for the very first time

From March 19 to October 20, 2024, the Cluny Museum – the National Museum of the Middle Ages in Paris – will present a selection of the most beautiful pieces of gold and silverwork that make up the Treasure of Oignies in an exhibition completely devoted to them: Merveilleux Trésor d’Oignies: éclats du XIIIe siècle (The Wonderful Treasure of Oignies: 13th Century Sparks of Brilliance). Recognised as one of the Seven Wonders of Belgium, the treasure is the property of the King Baudouin Foundation, which is charged with safeguarding it for future generations. The Foundation is supporting the exhibition, which is a joint initiative of the Cluny Museum and the TreM.a – the Museum of Ancient Arts in Namur, where the Treasure of Oignies is usually kept and exhibited.

Comprising some fifty pieces, the Treasure of Oignies is a testimony to the exceptional quality of Gothic gold and silverware. The impressive sophistication of the objects, their technical mastery, the rare and precious materials, as well as their excellent state of conservation and the history of the pieces make this extremely rare 13th century treasure an ensemble that enjoys an international reputation. In 1978, the treasure was proclaimed as one of the Seven Wonders of Belgium and in 2010, 32 of the pieces were listed by the Wallonia-Brussels Federation as exceptional moveable cultural heritage.

In 2010, and in order to ensure its safekeeping, the Sisters of Notre Dame of Namur handed down the Treasure of Oignies to the King Baudouin Foundation. The Foundation subsequently entrusted the treasure to the TreM.a – the Musée des Arts Anciens du Namurois – where it is exhibited. The Société Archéologique de Namur contributes to the research and promotion of this inestimable heritage.

An important ‘first’

This will be the first time that this prestigious treasure has ever left Belgium, almost in its entirety, and it is exactly one hundred years since the Louvre Museum exhibited three of the pieces from the treasure in 1924. Around thirty objects that can ‘travel’ are being presented in the Cluny Museum exhibition: pieces of gold and silverware, mainly reliquaries, and a selection of textiles. The visitor will be able to see major works such as the Reliquary of the Virgin’s Milk, the Reliquary of the rib of Saint Peter and the silver Evangeliary bookbinding plates, as well as a chalice and paten said to have belonged to Gilles de Walcourt.

A selection of photos of the objects exhibited is available here.

Historical figures

The exhibition enables the visitor to retrace the history of the Priory of Saint Nicola of Oignies, a community of Augustinian canons founded at the end of the 12th century, around three key figures: Marie d’Oignies (1177-1213), Jacques de Vitry (1185-1240) and the talented gold and silversmith Hugues de Walcourt, known as Hugo d’Oignies, who died around 1240. The works created by Hugo d’Oignies and his workshop, which are recognisable by the profusion of niello, filigree and naturalist and hunting motifs, constitute a virtuoso testimony of work in precious metal.

A few years after its foundation, the mystic Marie d’Oignies went to live at the priory. Several pieces in the exhibition evoke Marie’s life, a woman who was declared to be blessed shortly after her death and who is still venerated today. During the same period, Jacques de Vitry, a brilliant preacher and one-time Bishop of Acre in the Holy Land, became the priory’s principal patron, donating reliquaries and precious stones and materials to it. Jacques de Vitry’s support enabled the priory to become an important centre for the creation of gold and silverware. Hugo d’Oignies, and his workshop, created objects of transcendent splendour, in an art form that is constantly evolving, as is underlined by the exhibition.

In addition to the works exhibited, visitors will deepen in an interactive way their experience of the exhibition by following Jacques de Vitry’s footsteps or discovering even the smallest detail of the silver bookbinding plates created by Hugo d’Oignies.

Press visit

As a journalist, you are cordially invited to discover the exhibition at the Cluny Museum on Thursday 21 March 2024, at 14h, during a guided tour given by the exhibition’s two curators:
- Christine Descatoire, Head Curator at the Cluny Museum and responsible for the gold and silver collection
- Julien De Vos, Head Curator and Director of the Cultural Heritage Department of the Province of Namur.

Photo and interview possibilities.

For organisational reasons, please confirm your presence with Thierry Van Noppen: vannoppen.t@kbs-frb.be, Mob. +32 (0)479 31 85 56.

Practical details
- Exhibition Merveilleux Trésor d’Oignies: éclats du XIIIe siècle
- Cluny Museum, 28 Rue Du Sommerard, 75005 Paris
- From 19 March to 20 October 2024
- Open every day (except Monday), from 9h30 to 18h15. Late nights on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month, from 18h15 to 21h
- Tickets €12, reduced tariff €10. Free for under-26s and for all on the first Sunday of the month

For further information
oignies.collectionkbf.be
www.heritage-kbf.be
www.musee-moyenage.fr
www.museedesartsanciens.be