History & Heritage
10.23.2019
The Abu Dhabi Louvre lends its first collector’s piece to an international museum
For its first major loan to an international institution since its opening in 2017, the Abu Dhabi Louvre has chosen to lend a 16th-century gold-enameled necklace of the Order of the Golden Fleece to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, better known as the “Met”, in New York.
The Louvre Abu Dhabi has just taken an important step forward in its international expansion. The first major universal art museum in the Arab world has just completed its first major loan to an international institution since it opened in 2017. A 16th-century gold chain has just been lent to the Metropolitan of Art, better known as the “Met”, in New York.
Part of the permanent collection of the Louvre Abu Dhabi, this enameled gold necklace of the Order of the Golden Fleece, a knight’s society created in 1430 by the Duke of Burgundy Philippe le Bon, refers to Greek mythology and Christianity through its ram pendant and delicately carved links.
A unique piece
Acquired by the Louvre Abu Dhabi at a private sale in 2010, the necklace that was worn by the company’s elite in the 15th century quickly attracted the interest of the Met. With this loan application, the Louvre Abu Dhabi hopes to promote its collection internationally and establish its growing reputation abroad.
”When you have an institution at Met level that calls you, as head of the department, you know that you are on the right track”
The piece will be on display at the Met until January and will be part of an exhibition entitled “The Last Knight: The Art, Armour, and Ambition of Maximilian I”, which explores the ideas of chivalry between the 15th and 16th centuries.
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