STAM is home to an extensive collection. We can only display a small portion of these objects in the permanent exhibition. This gallery is where we present a changing selection of items from the museum storage.
The current display is of medals, tokens and buttons. In recent years, volunteers have helped us to make these subcollections accessible online. The objects here were either made by or based on designs by Victor Lemaire and Hippolyte Le Roy. Furthermore, STAM is in possession of materials that originate from their workshops. This enables us to show a glimpse behind the scenes of the design and production process as well as the final object.
Victor Lemaire (Ghent, 5 February 1826 – Gentbrugge, 26 September 1905) was apprenticed to a Ghent goldsmith. He was a keen student and experimented with making moulds, which would later prove invaluable in his career as an engraver. This was followed by Ghent Academy where he trained as a sculptor. Lemaire then immersed himself in all sorts of engraving techniques and built a successful business. In addition to the design and manufacture of medals, tokens and buttons, he also worked semi-precious stones to set in signet rings, wax stamps and cameos.
Hippolyte Le Roy (Liege, 4 April 1857 – Ghent, 29 October 1943) resided in Ghent during his military service, where he studied sculpture at the Ghent Academy. A scholarship enabled him to continue his studies in Paris and Rome, after which Le Roy returned to Ghent. After a difficult start to his career, he became very successful, with numerous commissions for statues and memorials. Like many sculptors of the period, he designed medals and tokens. Le Roy also painted and was a teacher of painting in Antwerp for many years.
