The Treasure from Pińsk - Supreme Craftsmanship of Mediaeval Jewellers
Discover one of the most valuable relics acquired for the collection of the Museum of the Eastern Lands of the Former Republic of Poland
Deposit of Arab coins and early medieval silver jewelryThe National Museum in Lublin
Where history meets mystery
The treasure was discovered near Pińsk on the Pripyat River, in what is now Belarus. Its history dates back to the mid-10th century and is shrouded in mystery - we do not know exactly who hid it or why.
A treasure of many cultures
Pińsk, both in its ancient and more recent history, was a place where cultures met. The treasure reflects the multicultural character of the region and shows how rich and diverse this part of Europe has always been.
Deposit of Arab coins and early medieval silver jewelryThe National Museum in Lublin
What was the deposit hiding?
The treasure includes dozens of silver ornaments, blanks, jewellery fragments, and more than 500 Arabic coins. The discovery is of great significance for the history of jewellery making and trade in the Middle Ages.
Crescent-shaped pendant - lunulaThe National Museum in Lublin
Agility and precision
The ornaments were made using granulation and filigree techniques - very difficult and requiring great precision. Each granule was hand-attached to a lunula/crescent-shaped plate/base, among others, creating an intricate, symmetrical composition.
EaringThe National Museum in Lublin
Mediaeval craftsmenship
The jeweller used coal, salt, and copper. Simple torches reaching 600°C were used to solder silver. This is how ornaments were created that today impress with their craftsmanship and durability.
The silver ornaments contained admixtures of copper, zinc, and lead. X-ray and microscopic examinations revealed even the smallest technical details that show the mastery of the ancient craftsmen.
CoinThe National Museum in Lublin
Coins from Samarkand and al-Shash
80% of the coins come from the area of present-day Uzbekistan. This is evidence of the extensive trade routes between Asia and Europe in the 10th century. Thanks to them, silver found its way to the lands of the Slavs.
CoinThe National Museum in Lublin
Silver as a currency of power
In the 10th century, silver was not only a means of payment, but also a symbol of power. It was used to pay warriors, buy goods, and gain political influence.
Why were the coins divided?
Fragments of coins suggest they were divided - one full coin was too valuable for everyday trade. They were therefore divided like bars to measure payment accurately.
In this video, you will find out more about this unique treasure. See what the research of the treasure and the work of a jeweller was like in the Middle Ages. The reconstruction of the workshop is a testament to the craftsmanship of the ancient artisans, whose techniques rivalled modern jewellery methods.
The treasure is in the collection of the Museum of the Eastern Lands of the Former Republic of Poland - a branch of the National Museum in Lublin. It is a new institution that restores the memory of the heritage of the former Kresy (Borderlands). Visit it at the Lubomirski Palace.
Become a part of this story!
Do you have family heirlooms from the former Borderlands? Share them with the museum. We are creating history together - we invite all lovers of the past to join us.
Marta Cyran, Mateusz Osiadacz, Piotr Maciuk, Dorota Awiorko, Aleksandra Sztal
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