A series of 33 barely known coats of arms from the Sint-Romboutskathedraal will undergo thorough restoration over the coming two years. These are boards made in 1491 for the Mechelen chapter of the Order of the Golden Fleece. Museum Hof van Busleyden coordinates the restoration and research. The city of Mechelen, the province of Antwerp, the museum and the cathedral provide the necessary resources. This is one of the largest restoration projects ever undertaken by the museum.
The coats of arms, made with gold leaf, currently still hang in the Sint-Romboutskathedraal, but urgently need restoration. They are barely known to the general public, but their historical value cannot be underestimated. The series was made for the Mechelen chapter of the Order of the Golden Fleece – one of the greatest and most important celebrations in the city's history.
"In our exhibition Kinderen van de Renaissance the first two restored coats of arms were already on display. Thanks to the interdisciplinary restoration team, the difference between before and after restoration was phenomenal", said culture alderman Björn Siffer. "The final result of the restoration of all coats of arms will be discoverable by the general public in 2024, the year Belgium holds the presidency of the Council of the European Union. The city of Mechelen is already making grand plans for that."
"As a province, we are happy to put our shoulders to this grand restoration and research project. By pooling our efforts with various partners, we are able to restore this series of coats of arms to their former glory", said Luk Lemmens, first deputy of the Province of Antwerp.
Restoration to be followed live
"The coats of arms are currently still visible in the choir aisle of our cathedral", says Jan Eeckhoudt, secretary of the cathedral church administration. "Visitors do not always realize how special the boards are. The historical value of this series is considerable. That is precisely why we are pleased that they are now being taken in hand by a team of top restorers."
The restoration will take place partly in the restoration workshop of Museum Hof van Busleyden. Visitors will soon be able to follow from close by how the coats of arms are restored to their original state. "This is one of the largest restoration projects ever for Museum Hof van Busleyden, after the restoration of the masterpieces Besloten Hofjes. After scientific research and restoration, the more than 30 gold-inlaid coats of arms will be visible in all their splendor in a grand international exhibition that will take place within two years", said Kristl Strubbe, director of Museum Hof van Busleyden.
The entire project can be followed at www.hofvanbusleyden.be