The Fondation Etrillard is helping the Fondation de l'Abbaye de Saint-Maurice to restore two reliquaries of the Trésor de l’Abbaye, founded in 515: the Great Shrine of Saint Maurice and the Shrine of Abbey Nantelme. The Fondation Etrillard’s policy includes the restoration of works that demonstrate the technical and artistic excellence of old masters, and which require conservation work to ensure their continued presentation to the general public. The Foundation is also keenly aware of the value of potential discoveries made during restorations and the potential for innovation.
Restoration work on the reliquary of Saint Maurice was completed in 2021. Work included the complete removal of the outer layer featuring over 300 ornaments, including silver and gilded silver plates, set glass paste and gems, niello enamelling and 2,000 nails. An innovative electrolytic pencil called the Pleco, developed with the Haute Ecole Arc de Neuchâtel, was used to clean the tarnished silver and restore the reliquary’s original shine. Restoration work of the Abbey Nantelme reliquary will continue until 2024, to ensure this unique and sacred heritage is passed on to future generations.
© B.Hallet-Cath
Thanks to the Fondation Etrillard’s support, the reliquary of Saint Maurice has been restored to its original purpose and can once again be appreciated by the public.
Trésors de châsse
Trésors de châsse
Trésors de châsse
Trésors de châsse