The object of the month for June highlights the waste materials from an 11th–12th-century bone-carving workshop, uncovered during excavations in Féronstrée. These bone pieces, ‘bearing clear signs of having been worked’, offer a rare insight into the work of medieval craftsmen

For its ‘Object of the Month’ in May 2026, the Grand Curtius is shining a spotlight on the albums and sales catalogues of the Val Saint-Lambert crystal works. To mark the bicentenary of the factory, this valuable heritage is the subject of a major digitisation project in collaboration with the Wallonia-Brussels Federation, aimed at ensuring its preservation and online accessibility.

Saint Bartholomew, the martyred apostle, is often depicted holding a knife or his own skin. The Grand Curtius houses an expressive reliquary bust of the saint, dating from the 16th century and attributed to a Limburg artist influenced by Jan van Steffesweert. This work bears witness to the tradition of ‘speaking’ reliquaries and the devotion surrounding his relics in Europe.

The consumption of hot beverages such as tea, coffee and chocolate became very fashionable among the bourgeoisie in the 18th century and was often a special moment in domestic life. This ritual gave rise to the development of so-called “lunch” services: a porcelain set comprising a tray matching the cups, for one or two people, hence the names “égoïste” (selfish) and “tête à tête” (one-on-one).

In the 19th century, certain defence mechanisms – ingenious but extremely dangerous – bore witness to an era when security was more a matter of DIY than technology. Come and discover them in our showcase for the object of the month for February 2026.

Discover the object of the month for December 2025, dedicated to Val Saint-Lambert.