Objet du mois

Delicate glass Chinese snuff bottles

Tobacco was imported from America and introduced to Europe in the middle of the 16th century. It was used as a medicinal plant, although its healing effects were already called into question in certain corners. It was consumed following the Indian tradition, that is to say either smoked or chewed, and was soon scorned by the elite classes. Indeed, from 1626, it was banned from being consumed in public and could only be sold by apothecaries. In spite of these constraints, inhaling this ground-up plant became a fashionable activity and, above all, snuffboxes, which were richly decorated boxes with lids, became fashion accessories.

Objet du mois

Drawing of the Oflag (a prisoner of war camp for officers) IIA and the photo album of Lieutenant Lambiotte

Lieutenant Emile Lambiotte had already done his training with the cyclists of the 10th line infantry regiment when the latter became the Ardennes armoured cavalry regiment in 1934. Though he was mobilised in August 1939, he was able to attend the birth of his daughter in January 1940 in Mazy, in the municipality of Gembloux, but did not see his family again for… five years.

Objet du mois

RESTORATION OF LEATHER ITEMS FROM THE STUDY OF EUGÈNE YSAŸE

It was in 1894 that the famous violinist and composer from Liège Eugène Ysaÿe (1858-1931) had a house built in Brussels on Avenue Brugmann. For the occasion, he commissioned an entirely furnished workspace from his friend, architect Gustave Serrurier-Bovy. This unique testimony to the encounter between two renowned artists of the late 19th century is now part of the City of Liège’s collections, thanks to a donation by Eugène Ysaÿe’s heirs.