British Museum Permanent Medieval Exhibition
British, European and Byzantine Treasures Have Purpose-Built Gallery
Mar 30, 2009
The British Museum has the world's finest collection of medieval art, artefacts and archaeological pieces. For many years visitors probably didn't even notice the display as they passed through an uninspiring gallery on the way to the Egyptian gallery and other attractions.
British, European and Byzantine Treasures
Choice pieces from the museum's comprehensive collection are now permanently displayed in the Paul and Jill Ruddock Gallery of Medieval Europe, a newly renovated space.
The installation features British, European and Byzantine treasures including sacred art, early printed materials, reliquaries, scientific instruments, musical instruments, jewellery, ecclesiastical vessels and other priceless items from the period 1050-1500. The display is split into sections focusing on devotional items, secular pieces and international influences.
Devotional Items and the Growth of the Monasteries
The exhibition features religious images from two different Christian cultures and examines how they were an aid to devotion. Artefacts from Western Europe are on view side by side with Byzantine pieces. The display highlights the growth of monasteries during the 11th Century, to their dissolution in the 16th.
St Eustace Head Reliquary
On display is the St Eustace Head Reliquary, made for the cathedral at Basle around 1210. The reliquary has two parts: a wooden core that contained the relics, and a silver-gilt cover decorated with recycled Roman glass and gems. The use of Roman materials demonstrates the importance placed on the classical past.
Secular Items - Romance and Courtly Love in the Medieval World
One of the earliest Limoges caskets, dating from approximately 1180, is on view. Discovered at the Court of Aquitaine, and made for secular use, it is richly decorated with scenes of music, dance, love and combat. The front of the casket shows two pairs of lovers. A lady dances to the music of a stringed instrument while birds fly overhead.
The Lewis Chessmen
Also displayed are the Lewis Chessmen. Although believed to have been produced in Norway, around 1150-1200, they were found on the Isle of Lewis, Scotland. Of the 93 known pieces, the British Museum has 82. The rest are in the National Museum of Scotland. The elaborately carved pieces take the form of mounted knights, mitred bishops, seated kings and queens, standing warders and obelisk-shaped pawns.
Citole - the Medieval Equivalent of a Guitar
Another fascinating item is a Citole made in England around 1280-1330. The carvings on the body make this an outstanding example of secular art. During its lifetime it has undergone several changes. Among the alterations is the fixing of a silver plate above the peg box, engraved with the arms of Elizabeth I, Queen of England (1558-1603) and her favourite lover, Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester.
The Royal Gold Cup
Also displayed is the magnificent Royal Gold Cup made for ceremonial use (or display) at royal feasts. It was commissioned by Jean duc de Berry about 1375, who presented it to his nephew, Charles IV of France in 1391. The English royal family acquired it in 1435. James I gave it to Juan de Velasco (Spanish ambassador) in 1604 and the ambassador gave the Cup to a convent in Medina de Pornar near Burgos. The Cup came up for sale in Paris in 1883.
The Cup is decorated with scenes from the legends of St Agnes and during Henry VIII's reign (1509-47) its stem was embellished with Tudor roses.
Masterpieces of Medieval Art
James Robinson, curator of the exhibition, has written a book to accompany the gallery opening. Masterpieces of Medieval Art is the first illustrated guide to the collection.
Details of opening times and events can be obtained from the British Museum. For details of hotels near the museum see Hotels and Accommodation Near the British Museum.
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