Although there are things to be seen here, the most interesting works - a scattering of medieval objects - are hard to see.

(Inside it is a gallery of medieval religious objects.)

Its medieval objects had lain too long alone to have any reputation left such as might attract the curious.

"You can buy a first-rate medieval object for a third of the price of an old master," Mr. Blumka said.

Evidence of this double destruction was confirmed by excavations during 1911-12 and in 1950-51 (led by W. Douglas Simpson) when many medieval objects were found.

The Morgan lent many of its finest medieval objects to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where they are on display.

Mr. de Montebello said that there had been such questions about a few of the medieval objects in the museum's collection.

It took museum officials about three years to review all the medieval objects in the show.

The exhibition presents 84 prehistoric, ancient and medieval Japanese objects.

The only valuable medieval object left in the cathedral today, is golden chalice from the 16th century.