The finest treasures made by French goldsmith are family collections, built up over several generations through a process of accumulating rare and precious objects intended to be passed down within the family. They are comprised almost entirely of pieces of tableware, (to which jewels are sometimes added), signed by great goldsmiths. Despite the precious nature of these items, they were regularly used when entertaining guests (as opposed to ceremonial tableware, intended to be displayed in dressers and which were not actually used).
These are also treasures that were hidden underground to protect them from looting in critical situations to do with wars in the late Middle Ages or the Renaissance.
The two hauls of treasure presented in this exhibition share this common history, and were also hidden underground for several centuries. Their owners had been forced to take flight, and were unable to return and recover them once peace was restored. The context in which they were found, during works carried out in the 20th and 21st centuries, is also very similar.
The two sets on display bear witness to table usage at the end of the Middle Ages and during the Renaissance. They are rare and precious, particularly because of the sets of cups, goblets and spoons that they include. In fact, few precious objects from those long-ago periods have survived to the present day. From the mid-16th century on, kings of France melted down this valuable tableware to fill the royal coffers with gold and silver.
Illustration
The Pouilly-sur-Meuse Treasure
Inv. 2009.1.1 à 2009.1.29
© Palace of the Dukes of Lorraine - Musée Lorrain, Nancy
Photo: Ville de Nancy - Patrice Buren