Gold Rose from the Bale Cathedral Treasure.

The Minucchio da Siena 
Rose of Gold
Avignon, 1330
Gold and coloured glass
H. 0.60 m
Commissioned by
Pope John XXII (1316 - 1334)
Treaure of Bâle Cathedral
Cl. 2351

The gold rose in this museum is the oldest in conservation in the world. Gold roses figure in records dating back to the 11th century. Of the hundreds of gold roses created in the Middle Ages, this is one of the three that survived to this day. The gold rose ceremony has remained virtually unchanged through the centuries. Every year on the fourth Sunday of Lent, known as Laetare Sunday, the Pope would offer a gold rose to an important figure whose faith he wanted to proclaim. This rose was identified by its recipient's arms added to the foot of the piece. Pope John XXII gave it to Rodophe III of Nidau, Count of Neuchâtel. The count had supported the Pope in his terrible battle against emperor Louis of Bavaria. In addition, the papal books, well preserved for the period when the pontiff resided at Avignon, identify the goldsmith commissioned for this work. Minucchio is one of many Senia artists who turned 14th century Avignon into an artistic melting pot.