The exhibition brings together more than 150 objects across 5 themes. Behind each object lies a unique story. We give you a selection of remarkable pieces.
The Antwerp Hand biscuits are the most well-known tourist souvenir from the city. In the MAS collection, we find many packagings of the biscuits. However, behind the scenes of the little biscuit, there is more than one story to tell.
In 1890, the painter Louis van Engelen depicted a crowd of Belgian emigrants moving across Antwerp’s Nassau Bridge to the district of Het Eilandje towards a ship. The resident population watches them pass by.
What is valuable must be protected. That is the logic of the Flemish Masterpieces Decree. Since the creation of this decree in 2003, just about 1,000 objects and collections have been recognised and protected as masterpieces. Through decree, the government also strengthens public collections by acquiring important masterpieces.
The MAS keeps an extensive and important collection of historical tokens and coins, among which these three masterpieces. They were made for the guilds or trades. These were professional and interest associations led by a dean elected by the members.
Young creative talents of the artistic laboratory "Het Bos" investigate Kruithof objects, experiment with them and invent stories. BOSLABS creates an interactive installation that shows its quirky take on "The Value of Things."
In 2024, we selected a dental collection to perform a valuation on. There was no knowledge within the MAS about the provenance and history of this collection. It was not clear whether these objects had a place within the collection plan.
Book your ticket in advance to ensure that you can visit the museum on your chosen date. When the maximum number of visitors is reached, we can not give you access to the museum without reservation. Book your ticket here.
