Luxury – Medieval Bling Bling

Crucifix made of lead, a possible pilgrim badge. Middle Ages.
Brass chain that forms a hoop. At the other end are some remains of organic material that the chain has been attached to. 15th century.
Decorated piece of leather, possibly belonging to purses worn suspended from the belt. Middle Ages.
Possible pincers. Middle Ages.
Gold ring with an engraved inscription on the outer surface reading baltazar iaspar melch[ior].
Ring brooch made of bronze with an engraved inscription reading AVE MARIA G[RATIA]. 14th century.

Ring brooch made of bronze with an engraved inscription reading AVE MARIA G[RATIA]. 14th century.

8.10.2010-16.1.2011

Luxury - Medieval Bling Bling is an exhibition about the accessories and dress that communicated wealth during the Middle Ages. The exhibition explores the identity of people who lived during the Middle Ages, what they were like and how they appeared to others. The word "bling" refers to accessorising and decorating to signal status within one's group, sometimes in an ostentatious style. Medieval people had their own fashions and ways of enhancing their person, even though they had no such thing as brands. The need to stand out or belong to a group and show this through one's appearance is part and parcel of humanity.

The exhibition has been produced by the Bryggen Museum of Bergen and focuses on Norwegian and pan-European tradition. The history of Turku and Finland are represented in the exhibition through artefacts and associated texts. The Bryggen Museum is an archaeological and cultural-historical museum, which like Aboa Vetus & Ars Nova, belongs to the network of Nordic medieval museums.