Thomas Adamski sponsors the restoration of the head reliquary of St. Jacob

Hildesheim (bph) Everybody needs a good friend sometimes, and perhaps even a generous benefactor now and then. The jewels of Hildesheim Cathedral are no exception. Many of them are awaiting people who can help to restore them to their former glory. Hildesheim businessman Thomas Adamski is among the first of these ‘restoration sponsors’. He donated 7,600 euros for the restoration of the head reliquary of St. Jacob of Nisibis. On the afternoon of Wednesday 7 December, he personally gave ‘his’ art treasure a closer inspection.

Restoration sponsor Thomas Adamski (2nd from left) closely examines ‘his’ reliquary in the diocese’s restoration workshop. Accompanying him (from left): Prof. Dr. Michael Brandt, director of the cathedral museum, restorer Uwe Schuchardt and Dr. Konrad Deufel, chairman of the Cathedral Construction Society; Photograph: bph

Jacob was a hermit who led an ascetic life in the Kurdish mountains during the fourth century. In 309, he was appointed as Bishop of Nisibis, known today as Nusaybin in Turkey. The reliquary of the saint contains fragments of his skull. It was donated by the Hildesheim Cathedral canon Lippold von Steinberg after the Battle of Dinklar in 1367. In those days, it was housed in a special decorated chamber within the cathedral. The pattern of the garments with their interlinked quatrefoils is typical of the artistic design of the late 14th century. The object probably originated in a Hildesheim workshop and shows off the tremendous skill of its creator. Especially beautiful are the delicately formed facial features that are in striking contrast to the rich ornamentation of the garments.

But the years have taken their toll on the reliquary and it is in urgent need of cleaning. Such a significant work of art cannot simply be wiped over with a sponge and water, of course. The cleaning process is very intricate and will be completed in time for the reopening of the cathedral museum in 2015.

Thomas Adamski’s sponsorship is part of the “Treasures in Danger” project, for which the Hildesheim Cathedral Construction Society and the diocese fundraising office are hoping to attract restoration sponsors in the coming months. A brochure for the project has been published illustrating all 45 objects in need of restoration. It also outlines the restoration costs of each object for which the diocese is seeking a sponsor. The amounts sought range from 80 euros for the restoration of a fragment of a jug from the miracle at Cana to the 7,600 euros contributed by Thomas Adamski. The objects themselves are also very different in nature: they include reliquaries and also crosses, candleholders and books.

“The Hildesheim Cathedral treasure is one of the largest and most important collections of church treasures in Europe,” said Prof. Dr. Michael Brandt, director of the cathedral museum. “In particular, the numerous metalwork pieces are artworks that are simply priceless. Sponsors of the restoration project will help to preserve these objects of world heritage.” Sponsors will receive a certificate with a photograph and a biography of ‘their’ piece of cathedral treasure and will be honoured on an exclusive sponsors’ plaque in the the new cathedral museum. They will also receive a VIP card for the cathedral museum for 2015, the year in which the diocese celebrates its 1,200th anniversary.

Information:
“Treasures in Danger” - Sponsors for the Restoration of Cathedral Treasure
Hildesheim Cathedral Restoration, Dr. Ralf Tappe, Domhof 2, 31134 Hildesheim, Germany
Tel.: +49 (0)5121 307 216, Fax: +49 (0)5121 307 214,
Email: tappe@domsanierung.de