The Rijksmuseum is offering a rare glimpse into the treasures in its collection that usually lie hidden in its storage depot. Treasures from Storage presents a selection from a different part of this remarkable collection in five galleries throughout the museum.
The entire collection of medieval bronze mortars is on show in the gallery of the Middle Ages. These objects have not been on public display together since the early 20th century.
A selection of mirrors from the 16th to the 19th century is hanging in the galleries of the 18th century. With their diversity of styles and patterned decorations, the frames and the mirror glasses themselves are extremely precious.
Textiles designed for domestic interiors by the artist Theo Nieuwenhuis are on show in galleries of the 19th century. A pupil of Pierre Cuypers, the architect who designed the Rijksmuseum, Nieuwenhuis’s work included the interior of the Shipping House (Scheepvaarthuis) in Amsterdam. The textile samples are modest in size, but give a good impression of the original upholstery of the furniture and interiors, many of which were replaced when they went out of fashion or wore out.
This exhibition was prompted by the building of the Netherlands Collection Centre (CC NL), a shared storage facility in Amersfoort which will open in 2020, and house the collections of the Rijksmuseum, Paleis Het Loo, the Dutch Open Air Museum and the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands. Before being moved to their new home, all the objects in the Rijksmuseum’s current depot will be redescribed, photographed and prepared for relocation.
