The Art of Charlemagne

20.06.2014 - 21.09.2014

Superb manuscripts as well precious and delicate ivory and gold artefacts will be the core items of the first of many temporary exhibitions. From 20th June to 21st September 2014, the high-class presentation ‘The Art of Charlemagne‘, part of the three-part exhibition series “Charlemagne – Power, Art, Treasures“, will show hand-picked items from Charlemagne’s legendary Court School. In future, two larger temporary exhibitions will be on display at the Centre Charlemagne annually.

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Dorestad Brooch, Reichenau or Canton of Valais, Switzerland, circa 800, gold (gold leaf), repoussé work, pearled rim, cloisonné, inlay, encrusted with precious stones/pearls/glass, 8.4 cm Leiden, Rijksmuseum van Oudheden, Inv. No. f 1978/1.1

The Dorestad Brooch is a Carolingian clasp for a cloak, decorated with precious stones, pearls and glass. It was found in 1969 at the bottom of a well during archaeological excavations in Wijk bij Duurstede (on the Rhine near Utrecht). In former times, Wijk was under special protection of Charlemagne and his successors and was known as a Christian city and a centre of missionary activity.