“Shine On! – The Age of Jewelry” Exhibition Extended at the Hungarian National Museum

The Hungarian National Museum’s captivating exhibition “Shine On! – The Age of Jewelry” has proven to be a resounding success, attracting over 30,000 visitors in just three months since its opening on October 18, 2024. Due to its popularity, the museum has decided to extend the exhibition, offering more opportunities for visitors to explore this dazzling display of historical and contemporary jewelry.

A Journey Through Time

Spanning an impressive 40,000 years of human history, the exhibition showcases a diverse array of jewelry from prehistoric times to the present day. Visitors can marvel at some of the earliest gold jewelry from the Carpathian Basin, exquisite medieval gold brooches adorned with precious stones, and even unique pieces made from horseshoe nails and human hair.

Highlights from Hungarian History

The exhibition features several notable pieces that resonate deeply with Hungarian history and culture. These include the poison ring of King Béla III, the 900-year-old ring of King Coloman the Learned, and poignant mourning jewelry worn by Hungarian women commemorating the martyrs of the 1848-49 War of Independence.

Contemporary Artistry

Alongside historical treasures, the exhibition also celebrates contemporary jewelry design. It includes pieces from Katalin Spengler’s internationally recognized collection and works by students and faculty from the Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design (MOME). A special “contemporary jewelry island” in the museum’s staircase has been recently updated to focus on themes of structure, harmony, rhythm, and sequence.

Evolving Content

To keep the exhibition fresh and engaging, the museum continually updates its content. A new pop-up exhibition titled “On Borderlines – Jewelry at the Intersection of Humans, Nature, and Built Environment” opened on December 17 in the Dome Hall, featuring works by MOME students, alumni, and teachers.

Interactive Experience

The exhibition goes beyond static displays, offering a range of accompanying programs including museum education sessions and workshops. Visitors are encouraged to reflect on the personal stories and meanings behind their own jewelry, adding a thoughtful dimension to the experience.

As Gábor Zsigmond, Director General of the Hungarian National Museum, notes, the exhibition’s popularity is a testament to the enduring fascination with jewelry and its cultural significance. With its extended run and evolving content, “Shine On! – The Age of Jewelry” continues to offer a glittering glimpse into human history and artistic expression through the ages.

Image source: The Hungarian National Museum