Treasures of the Black Death

Display of Medieval Jewish Treasure Trove at the Wallace Collection

Feb 20, 2009 Frances Spiegel

Two hoards of medieval jewellery from France and Germany, including three early Jewish wedding rings, dress ornaments, silver vessels, coins and ingots, go on display.

The Wallace Collection is one of London's treasure houses. French 18th-century paintings, porcelain and furniture, together with a world-class armoury, are displayed alongside works of the Old Masters.

The Black Death and Pogroms in Central Europe

When the Black Death spread across Central Europe in the 14th Century, the populations of Erfurt, Germany and Colmar, France looked for someone to blame. The Jews became the object of their hatred because it was believed they were poisoning the water wells thus helping to spread the disease.

The Colmar and Erfurt Treasures

Forced to flee, it is probable the Jewish communities of Colmar and Erfurt buried their most precious belongings, hoping to return to reclaim them at a later date. They never did, probably because most were murdered during Europe's large-scale pogroms. In Erfurt, on 2nd March 1349, 1000 Jews were slaughtered. As a result, their treasures remained hidden for centuries.

The Colmar treasure was discovered in 1863 beneath a house in the town's Jewish Quarter. The Erfurt treasure was uncovered in 1998, hidden close to the town's 11th-century synagogue, thought to be the oldest synagogue in Europe. The discovery was made during excavations for a new block of flats.These finds now form the basis for an exhibition at London's Wallace Collection, Treasures of the Black Death. On display are wedding rings, brooches, dress ornaments, gold and silverware, coinage and ingots.

The Rarest of Jewish Wedding Rings

The show includes three of the earliest known examples of Jewish wedding rings. One example takes the form of a miniature house representing the Temple of Jerusalem and the nuptial home, a very typical design at this time. The ring is inscribed in Hebrew with the words Mazal Tov, meaning good fortune.

Extremely Rare Example of a Toilet Set

One the rarest items on display is a silver gilt toilet set (also known as a cosmetic set), comprised of a chain with bottle and accessories. The bottle is decorated with a six-point star and contained cotton fibres soaked with a liquid, which may have been perfume. The bottle stopper is formed in the shape of flower petals. There are three small implements, only one of which, an ear cleaner, has survived intact.

Thriving International Communities

The two collections are a poignant reminder of the fate of two thriving medieval Jewish communities. They also tell us about the fashions of the time and the social structure of Erfurt and Colmar.

The coin collections contain currency from all over Central Europe, showing that both towns enjoyed a thriving international economy. This photo shows a coin from the reign of Louis IX (r. 1226-1270).

Treasures of the Black Death also highlights the craftsmanship of medieval secular silver- and goldsmiths. Items of religious importance are not rare. But secular pieces, such as those displayed are. Created to meet fashion demands of the day, they were not intended to last. When fashions changed, the metals were melted down to create new items.

Treasures of the Black Death will be on show until 10th May 2009 and full details can be obtained from The Wallace Collection. Following this exhibition, the works from the Erfurt Treasure will go on permanent display in the city's Old Synagogue.

A full-colour catalogue, edited by Christine Descatoire of the Musee national du Moyen Age - Thermes et hotel de Cluny, Paris and the exhibition's curator, is available.

Lovers of fine jewellery will also enjoy the display in the Victoria & Albert Museum's William and Judith Bollinger Jewellery Gallery.

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Jewish Wedding Ring, Erfurt