TREMA

The former Prieuré d'Oignies, in the commune of Aiseau between Namur and Charleroi, possessed a remarkable treasure. It is now housed in the Musée des Arts Anciens de Namur, in the magnificent ^18th-century Gaiffier d'Hestroy town house. The museum houses art collections from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance. These include superb stone and wood sculptures, paintings on religious subjects, works illustrating the arts of metal, stained glass, glassmaking and embroidery... Highlights include the ^16th-century wood painting Le Paysage avec la parabole du bon Samaritain, by Henri Blès. The finely chased reliquary of the Virgin's milk features a magnificent amethyst on its chest, symbolizing one of the twelve gates of Jerusalem. Also on view is the Oignies treasure trove, a collection of ^13th-century Mosan silverware. These works by the goldsmith monk Frère Hugo include reliquaries, chalices and crosses, as well as phylacteries, an evangelist's book and a manuscript. Other treasured works include early ^12th-century Arab glassware, ^11th- and ^17th-century ivories and enamels, and mitres dating from the late ^12th and early ^13th centuries. Once housed in the convent of the Sisters of Notre-Dame, the treasure was later transferred to the museum. The Trésor du prieuré d'Oignies is listed as part of the French community's movable cultural heritage. The museum also organizes temporary exhibitions.