BnF Museum

BnF Museum

Salle des Colonnes
Established	(1560–1574)
Collections	Ancient objects including several from theTreasury of Saint-Denis,books, manuscripts, coins, medals

TheBnF MuseumorMuseum of the Bibliothèque nationale de France,formerly known as theCabinet des Médailles(French pronunciation:[kabinɛdemedaj]), is a significant art and history museum inParis.It displays collections of theDépartement des Monnaies, Médailles et Antiques de la Bibliothèque nationale de Franceas well as manuscripts and books from the Library's collections. The BnF Museum is located in the Richelieu site, the former main building of the library borderingrue de Richelieu.

Overview

The Cabinet des Médailles is a museum containing internationally important collections of coins,engraved gems,and antiquities, with its distant origins in the treasuries of the French kings of the Middle Ages. The disruptions of theWars of ReligioninspiredCharles IX(1560–1574) to create the position of agarde particulier des médailles et antiques du roi( "Special guardian of the King's medals and antiques" ). Thus the collection, which has been augmented and never again dispersed – unlike the first royal library, assembled at thePalais du LouvrebyCharles V,which contained 973 volumes when it was inventoried in 1373, but was dispersed during the following century. It passed from being the personal collection of the king to becoming a national property – abien national– as the royal collection was declared during theRevolution.A stage in this aspect of its development was the bequest of the collection of pioneering archeologistcomte de Caylus,who knew that in this fashion his antiquities would be most accessible to scholars. Other collectors followed suit: when theduc de Luynesgave his collection of Greek coins to theCabinet Impérialin 1862, it was a national collection rather than simply an Imperial one he was enriching. The State also added to the treasury contained in the Cabinet des Médailles: a notable addition, in 1846, was the early sixth century goldTreasure of Gourdon.

Thecabinet,in the sense of a small private room for the conservation and display of intimate works of art and for private conversations, rather than a piece of furniture, took a stable shape underHenry IV,who nominated the connoisseurRascas de Bagarrisgarde particulier des médailles et antiques du roi,the "particular guardian of the medals and antiquities of the King".

TheSassanid"Cup ofChosroes",fromSaint-Denis,where it was treasured as "King Solomon's Cup".

Among the antiquarians and scholars who have had the charge of theCabinet des Médailles,one of the most outstanding wasThéophile Marion Dumersan,who began working there in 1795 at the age of sixteen, protected the collection from dispersal by the allies after Napoleon's defeat, and published at his own expense a history of the collection and description, as newly rearranged according to historical principles, in 1838

Earlier printed catalogues of parts of the collection had been published.Pierre-Jean Mariette,urged by the comte de Caylus, published a selection of the royal carved hardstones as volume II of hisTraité des pierres gravées.

Louis XIV of France,an acquisitive connoisseur, brought together thecabinet of curiositiesof his uncleGaston d'Orléansand acquired that of Hippolyte de Béthune, the nephew of Henri IV's ministerSully.In order to keep the collections closer at hand, he removed them from the old royal library in Paris to thePalace of Versailles.

When Louis' great-grandsonLouis XVhad attained majority, theCabinetwas returned to Paris in 1724, to take up its present space in the royal library that was designed under the direction ofJules-Robert de Cotte,the son ofMansart's successor at theBâtiments du Roi.In theCabinet des Médailles,the medal-cabinet delivered in 1739 by theébéniste du roiAntoine Gaudreaufigures among the greatest pieces of French furniture. Other medal cabinets were delivered for Louis XIV byAndré-Charles Boulle.Thecabinetalso still houses its paintings byBoucher,NatoireandVan Loo.

Following theFrench Revolution,a number of precious objects previously kept at theTreasury of Saint-Denisjoined the collection of the Cabinet.

The Cabinet des Médailles is considered the oldest museum in France. It is located in the former building of the Bibliothèque Nationale, 58 rue Richelieu, Paris I, and can be visited for free every afternoon (13:00–17:00), seven days a week.

Significant objects

• Throne of Dagobert
• Charlemagne chessmen
• Berthouville Treasure
• Cup of the Ptolemies
• Great Cameo of France
• Treasure of Gourdon
• Cameo with Valerian and Shapur I
• Romanos Ivory
• The type vases for several Ancient Greek vase painters, including theAmykos Painter,Class of Cabinet des Médailles 218,theArkesilas Cupof theArkesilas Painter.
• TheIdalion Tablet
• Nazareth Inscription
• Baal Lebanon inscription

See also

• List of numismatic collections
• List of museums in Paris

External links

• Coins, Medals and Antiques Department