Treasure

Saturday 26th May - September, East Gallery

Showcasing wonderful artefacts, objects and treasures found in churches and parishes across the Diocese of Bath & Wells, you will be able to discover fascinating stories behind the objects, discuss what could be described as 'treasure' and even view artefacts that have never been on public display before.

This exhibition is co-ordinated by the Church Treasures Team, a volunteer-led initiative formed to create and sustain exciting exhibitions at The Bishop’s Palace. It is part of the Palace Trust’s wider ‘Assuring the Future’ development project and will encourage exploraiton of the 500 plus parishes within the Diocese.

But what is a treasure? There is no set definition of a church treasure but it might be:

• Made using costly, luxurious materials
• Something old, or having a long association with the life of a church community
• Something which forms part of the fabric or furniture of a church e.g. a carving, stained glass, a lectern, font or pulpit
• Something closely associated with an individual who plays or has played a remarkable part in the life of his or her community
• Something which has a special value – symbolic, practical or both – for a church community, and which can in some sense define or represent that community
• A crafted, unique object e.g. a painting, a textile, a memorial brass

Watch this space for more information, or sign up to receive our monthly enewsletter which contains exhibition updates.

Public notice

A faculty is required to enable parishes to lend items to the exhibition.  This public notice is part of the legal process and is displayed here on the website, in the Old Deanery in Wells and in the Palace itself