Manneken Pis’s entire wardrobe moves to storage facility due to renovation works
The entire wardrobe and costume collection of the world-famous Brussels statue “Manneken Pis” is being temporarily moved to the storage facility of the Fashion & Lace Museum. This is necessary due to planned renovation works at the Brussels City Museum, also known as the King's House. In total, over 1,200 costumes are being moved.
From the newest to the oldest preserved costume of the famous statue, each costume is being temporarily given a new home. This requires a great deal of expertise and knowledge about the costumes themselves, some of which are hundreds of years old. The tradition of dressing the bronze fountain sculpture in elegant costumes dates back to 1615. The oldest preserved costume is now almost three hundred years old.
The costumes must be transported with the utmost care. The most delicate garments are placed in acid-free boxes, whilst the less delicate items are put into cotton bags. Each costume is packed by hand, with every part wrapped in tissue paper. This includes, among others, the costume of Saint George of the Crossbowmen, donated to the museum in 1957, and his metal helmet – each of which was packed separately.
It takes around thirty minutes per costume to prepare all garments for the move. That amounts to about 600 hours in total.
The costumes are being transferred to the Fashion & Lace Museum, precisely because this is a living collection. As tradition dictates that Manneken Pis changes his costume regularly, the costumes must remain close to the fountain at all times.
Manneken Pis dressed as a Gille de Binche © PHOTO BELPRESS / Jean-Luc Flémal + © BELGA VIDEO TIMON RAMBOER
Related news
