Origin and history
The Musée des Beaux-Arts et d'Archéologie Joseph-Déchelette, founded in 1844, is part of the collection of a Roanese archaeologist, Fleury Mulsant. With the support of Mayor Gubian, he opened his doors in the former Capuchin convent, exposing ancient remains discovered in the region. Upon his death in 1850, the museum, enriched by donations and acquisitions, was transferred in 1874 to the new town hall, where he occupied a gallery and four halls. The donation of Dr.Nomas, including a collection of earthenware, marks a key step in its development.
In 1892 Joseph Déchelette, a major figure in archaeology, became a curator. He died in 1914, leaving his collections and library in the museum. His widow then offered their mansion, where the museum settled in 1923. The building, listed as a historic monument in 1981, houses protohistoric and ancient archaeological collections, including Gallic and Gallo-Roman objects from Roanne (Rodumna), the second city of the Segusiave city. Local excavations, initiated by Déchelette, reveal an oppidum, a necropolis, and artifacts such as painted bowls or celtic statuettes.
The museum also exhibits an Egyptian collection, acquired by Déchelette in 1893, including the mummy of Nesyamon and funeral objects. Although not currently visible for conservation reasons, this fund, second in importance in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, bears witness to the 19th century's enthusiasm for Egyptology. Fine arts cover works from the 15th to the 20th century, with European paintings, revolutionary faiences (700 pieces), and local ceramics, including unique patronymic pieces.
The ceramic collections, among the richest in the province, include Italian majolica, Delft earthenware, and French productions (Nevers, Rouen, Moustiers). A space is dedicated to the Romanian faience, from the 17th to the 20th century. The museum, linked to local industrial and craft history, also illustrates Gallo-Roman daily life through tools, trimmings, and religious objects. Its development reflects the evolution of museum practices, from curiosities to modern thematic exhibitions.
The legacy of Joseph Déchelette, archaeologist and patron, remains central. A room is dedicated to him, highlighting his pioneering role in the Roanna excavations and the constitution of collections. The museum, now owned by the city, also preserves local sculptures (Lescornnel, Picaud) and wild works (Friesz, Marquet). Its renovation project could allow the reopening of the Egyptian section, which is currently unexposed.
The mansion, built in the last quarter of the eighteenth century by Lavoiperre de, is partially protected (facades, roofs, decorated living room). Its architecture reflects the bourgeois status of its former owners, while its museum content combines local history, European art, and archaeological testimonies, offering a unique panorama of Roanne, from the Gaulish period to the contemporary era.
Announcements
Please log in to post a review