The Colmar Treasure: A Medieval Jewish Legacy

(Paperback)

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Description

During a 19th century renovation of a confectioner's shop in the town of Colmar, France, workers chanced upon a precious hoard of medieval jewellery and coins hidden in a wall. The cache - known as the Colmar Treasure - is thought to have been concealed by a Jewish family prior to the outbreak of the Plague in 1348, when Jews across the region were tragically scapegoated and put to violent death. This exquisite volume, published to accompany an exhibition at The Met Cloisters, examines their legacy through the lens of the Colmar treasure, shedding light on what it reveals about the work, homes, worship and values of its owners.

Accompanies an exhibition at The Met Cloisters from 22 July 2019 to 12 January 2020.

Contents:
Director's Foreword
Acknowledgments
Finding Treasure in Colmar
Finding the Lost Jews of Colmar
Unlocking a Medieval Jewel Box
Catalogue
Notes
Bibliography
Index

Reviews

'In May 1863, builders carrying out works in a confectioners shop in Colmar broke through a wall where they discovered a hoard of medieval objects, mostly coins and jewellery... This book of essays that accompanies the exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Cloisters branch in New York (until 12 January 2020) explores the historical context of this mixed bag.'-The Art Newspaper 2019

Author Bio

Barbara Drake Boehm is the Paul and Jill Ruddock Senior Curator for The Met Cloisters.