Glimmering gold and shimmering silver. That’s what first strikes you about the Kunstgewerbemuseum. Right before you stands a treasure trove of decorative arts.
The Kunstgewerbemuseum isn’t just a museum. It’s a journey through centuries of craftsmanship. Founded in 1868 as the Deutsches Gewerbe-Museum it’s one of the oldest museums of its kind in Germany. It boasts an internationally important collection. The museum initially served as both a teaching institute and a public museum. This dual role reflects the strong link between artistry and education.
Its collection grew rapidly in the 1870s. It was renamed Kunstgewerbemuseum in 1879. The museum has moved several times. It was once housed in the Martin-Gropius-Bau. Imagine the Priam’s Treasure temporarily displayed alongside the exquisite decorative arts. In 1921 it relocated to the Stadtschloss.
World War II sadly damaged parts of the collection. The surviving pieces were divided between East and West Berlin. The East Berlin collection found a home in Köpenick Palace in 1963. The West Berlin pieces were initially housed in Charlottenburg Palace. They eventually moved to the new building at the Kulturforum in 1985. Architect Rolf Gutbrod designed this magnificent structure.
The Kunstgewerbemuseum’s collection spans various periods. You’ll find Late Antique objects in different media. The Middle Ages are represented by gold reliquaries. The reliquary arm of St Caesarius is a highlight. Renaissance silverware from Lüneburg’s city councilors is also on display. Bronze sculptures Venetian glasses and majolica from Italian princely courts add to the splendor.
The Baroque era is represented by Delft faiences and glass items. European porcelain from Meissen and the Royal Manufacturer of Berlin is also a focal point. Crockery from the Rococo Classicist Historicist and Art Nouveau styles complete the collection. The “New Collection” showcases 20th-century craftwork including industrially manufactured products.
Don’t miss masterpieces like the fragment of an embroidered tapestry from Halberstadt dating back to around 1170. The Guelph Cross from the first half of the 12th century is another treasure. The processional cross from Enger further enriches the medieval section. The Merseburger Spiegelkabinett a stunning piece from 1712-1715 by Johann Michael Hoppenhaupt I is found in the Köpenick Palace branch. Drawing-room furniture by Carlo Bugatti from Milan adds a touch of late 19th-century elegance.
The Kunstgewerbemuseum is more than just a display of artifacts. It’s a testament to human creativity ingenuity and artistic skill spanning centuries. It’s a place where history and art converge offering a captivating journey through the evolution of decorative arts. The museum’s significance is underscored by its continued relevance as an important reference point for designers and lovers of decorative arts worldwide. It continually reinvents itself offering new exhibitions and perspectives while holding fast to its rich and fascinating past.