Bodemjuweeltjes

It is the first time that such a large collection of archaeological jewellery found in Dutch soil has been brought together for a jewellery exhibition. These pieces were once made and worn by the inhabitants of our country and span thousands of years, from the Stone Age to (almost) the present day.

Each excavated piece of jewellery adds to our understanding of the past and of ourselves. Jewellery is timeless — one of the oldest pieces in the exhibition is a pendant made from a wild boar’s tusk, dating from 9000 to 4000 BC. Some of the pieces are surprisingly contemporary and would not look out of place in a modern-day outfit. They speak not only to taste and fashion, but also to trade networks, cultural exchanges, social status, and belief systems. Bodemjuweeltjes explores the meaning and materials of the jewellery, but above all showcases the beauty of pendants, necklaces, rings, bracelets, dress pins, buckles and hairpins — some of which are thousands of years old.

Part of the exhibition focuses on the jewellery-making process, delving into the materials and techniques used. One highlight is the centuries-old filigree technique. Filigree features in several archaeological finds and is especially prominent in many traditional pieces from Zeeland.