Marvellous treasure of Oignies: 13th-century fragments

For lovers of medieval silverware and good stories, a visit to the Musée d’Histoire in Namur, which houses the Treasure of Oignies, is almost a pilgrimage. The treasure is housed in a room reminiscent of a vault (ill. 1), where the pieces from the treasure sparkle in a dark atmosphere that is perfect for contemplation. While some of them have - on occasion - been able to leave Belgian soil, it is always in small pieces: the phylactery of Saint Hubert and the reliquary foot of Saint Blaise already made the ‘’Journey into the Crystal‘’ at the Musée de Cluny (see article) last year and remained there until the opening of the current exhibition on ‘the most singular treasure of Western goldsmithery’. This is how Isabelle Bardiès-Fronty described this fascinating collection in the rich rock crystal catalogue, given its quality, its provenance and, above all, its unity, since it is easy to imagine all the occasions on which the treasure of Oignies could have been dispersed, sold or even melted down (delete as appropriate). It has survived the centuries, having escaped - we dare say miraculously - the vicissitudes that constantly befall any collection of civil or religious goldsmiths‘ and silversmiths’ wares.

1. The treasure of Oignies at the Musée des Arts anciens du Namurois
Photo: King Baudouin Foundation

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One is irresistibly reminded of the treasure of Conques, partially exhibited at the Louvre during the winter of 2001-2002, as well as that of the abbey of Saint-Maurice d’Agaune, exhibited in the same place in the spring of 2014, but these do not have the unity of the treasure of Oignies, a singularly homogeneous ensemble, the majority of the pieces of which were produced in a very short space of time in the mythical workshop of Hugo d’Oignies. Specialists will be familiar with the refinement of its filigree, niello and gems, but the general public will be the big winner of this fairly educational exhibition, which…