Sometimes, we forget to stop and think about the meaning behind the everyday objects around us. Gold is one of those things — it’s everywhere, but how much do you actually know about it? That’s where Wereldmuseum Leiden steps in.
With its newest exhibition, Enchanted by GOLD, the Leiden-based ethnology museum dives into the fascinating significance of gold — today and throughout history.
Step under the spell of gold
Why gold, you ask? Because gold is all around us, not just in our culture, but also in our daily lives. From the status symbols of the ultra-rich to the jewellery we wear and the technology we use, we can’t escape it.
Enchanted by GOLD invites us to admire, explore, and learn all about the shiny material — so let’s see what the exhibition has in store for us.
An extensive collection
Featuring no less than 436 objects, this exhibit presents a wide range of historical artefacts and contemporary artworks.
The diverse collection features 19 artists from 10 different countries, all offering their unique perspectives on the precious element.
Highlights include iconic treasures like Princess Beatrix’s golden rattle and the crown of King Willem I, alongside burial gifts, divine altars and other fascinating relics from the past.
When visiting, we were especially in awe at “The Death of James Lee Byars”, a gold-leafed room where performance artist James Lee Byars enacted his symbolic death (before he actually passed in 1997). 👇
But the exhibition also has a modern side, featuring a modern fashion collection inspired by gold’s allure, a golden urinal, and even President Trump’s “Never Surrender” shoes.
To make the experience fun for the whole family, Wereldmuseum Leiden has incorporated plenty of activities into the exhibition to get the kids involved.
On the family route, youngsters can not only roam free and explore the interactive side of the exhibition, but they also get to go on their very own search for treasure — treasure map included! It’s the perfect way to learn while having fun with mama en papa.
The good and the bad
In our society, gold is often associated with prosperity, power, and spirituality — but there’s a dark side to the material too, and Enchanted by GOLD doesn’t shy away from it.
Instead, the exhibition sheds light on what is often forgotten, such as the devastating environmental impact of gold mining, its colonial roots, and its role in the exploitation and inequality of people.
In this way, Wereldmuseum Leiden invites us to reflect on the dual nature of gold, as both an object of wonder and a source of human greed.
Ready to have a golden day at the Wereldmuseum?
Enchanted by GOLD will be on display at the Wereldmuseum Leiden until October 26, 2025 — so go check it out (perhaps on one of the many rainy days this country so kindly gives us?).
Wereldmuseum Leiden is open Tuesday through Sunday, from 10 AM until 5 PM. Entrance tickets can be bought directly at the museum or online and cost €16. Natuurlijk, museum card holders enter for free, just like anyone under 18.
Whether you’re there for the glitter or the thought-provoking stories behind it, Wereldmuseum Leiden’s Enchanted by GOLD exhibition is a must-see. We’ll see you there!
Have you ever been to Leiden’s Wereldmuseum? Leave your impressions in the comments!