• Address

    Abegg-Stiftung, Werner Abeggstrasse 67, Postfach, CH-3132 Riggisberg, Switzerland, Telephone: 0041 (0)31 808 12 01, Fax: 0041 (0)31 808 12 00, info@abegg-stiftung.ch

    Opening hours

    Closed during winter

    Permanent and special exhibition

    28 April to 10 November 2024, daily from 2 pm to 5.30 pm

    Villa Abegg

    28 April to 10 November 2024, daily in the afternoon, advance reservation by telephone recommended

    Getting here by car

    Motorway A6, exit Rubigen/Belp, free car park available

    Getting here by public transport

    Regional train to Toffen, postbus from Toffen to Riggisberg
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Special exhibition archive

Colourful Aumônière, 14 September – 10 November 2019

Within the scope of a degree project for the master’s programme in textile conservation and restoration, a highly ornate medieval pouch from Como Cathedral was thoroughly analysed, documented and cautiously conserved.
This “aumônière” or alms bag is to be exhibited in Riggisberg for a few weeks before being taken back to Italy. Its state of preservation is truly remarkable for a 700-year-old textile object. Especially striking are the bold colours of the silk threads and the barely corroded metal threads. The motifs reflecting the courtly world of the Middle Ages are utterly charming: a falconer on horseback with his little dog, a couple playing chess, a knight kneeling before his dame. With its finely worked scenes, which probably allude to the great medieval romance of Tristan and Isolde, the pouch would have made an ideal love token or wedding gift. Master’s Thesis Poster

 

Closed aumônière The pouch was used to carry money, small objects and coins for beggars. After being used as a luxury accessory, it ended up in Como Cathedral Treasury, where it served as a receptacle in which to keep relics. | Flanders (?), 13th–14th century, 35 x 32.5 x 1.8 cm, Como Cathedral, no inv. no.
Aumônière with open flap The flap concealed and protected the means of access to the inside. The circular opening formed by a metal ring around pleated pink taffeta is opened and closed by means of a drawstring with tassels at either end. There are coats of arms to the left and right of the opening.