Symposium on reliquary shrines

International Symposium
Reliquary Shrines and Medieval Goldsmithing: conservation,
restoration and technology
Musee d'art et d'histoire, Geneva
Geneva
September 12-15, 2001

Since 1996 two medieval reliquary shrines are being studied and
restored at the Musee d'art et d'histoire in Geneva with the support
of the Foundation for the restoration of these masterpieces of
medieval goldsmithing from the Valais. One of them is the 11th
century Great Shrine of Sion, partly decorated with repousse silver
plates. Its conservation-restoration was completed in July 1998. The
other one is the Children of Saint Sigismond Shrine of the
Saint-Maurice Abbey (12th century), which is completely covered with
repousse silver plates and partly gilded. The study and restoration
of the latter is still under way.

The problems encountered while working on these masterpieces, which
were both in a poor condition, are as multiple and complex as
interesting. Hence the idea of organising a symposium gathering
conservation-restoration specialists in this field. This exchange of
competences at an international level will allow to regroup and
compare different studies and experiences in constructive
discussions for all those involved in scientific studies of medieval
goldsmithing.

We plan three days of conferences and discussions, followed by a
one-day excursion to the Valais to visit the collections to which
the shrines originally belong. The final program, including more
than 20 conferences from scientists and art historians, will be
ready beginning of June.

Pre-registration can be effected by e-mail at the addresses below.
Registration fee : SFr 150.- (excursion not included) ; Students :
SFr 80.-

For further information:

    Francois Schweizer, Denise Witschard
    Laboratoire des Musees d'Art et d'Histoire
    Secretariat " Colloque Orfevrerie Medievale "
    2, rue Charles-Galland
    Case postale 3432
    1211 Geneve 3, Suisse
    +41 22 418 25 20
    +41 22 418 25 35 or
    +41 22 418 25 47
    Fax: +41 22 418 26 01 or
    +41 22 418 25 11
    francois.schweizer [at] mah__ville-ge__ch


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 15:1
                  Distributed: Wednesday, June 6, 2001
                        Message Id: cdl-15-1-009
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