The Fascination of Collecting

Masterpieces of Goldsmiths’ Art from the Collection 
of Rudolf-August Oetker

An exhibition of the Bavarian National Museum in co-operation with the Kunstsammlung Rudolf-August Oetker GmbH

28th March – 16th September 2012

Artistically designed objects in silver and gold have captivated their beholders since the beginning of time; they also fascinated the German entrepreneur Rudolf-August Oetker (1916-2007) whose extensive art collection encompasses works of international importance by masterful gold- and silversmiths.

The approximately 70 works in precious metal presented in this exhibition are primarily Renaissance and Baroque drinking vessels as created by famous masters from Nuremberg, Augsburg, Hamburg and Dresden, but there are also more unusual works produced beyond the usual centres of goldsmithing. They range from magnificent goblets belonging to Nuremberg patricians to prestigious guild vessels, and include extraordinary cups in the shape of ships, windmills and lanterns intended to be used in drinking games, as well as exotic naturalia and precious stones in silver mounts, as were once collected for princely Schatzkammer.

This exhibition not only sheds light on the function of drinking vessels and the role they played in courtly table culture but also focuses on the techniques used by craftsmen producing artworks in gold and silver. Their works bear impressive testimony to the variety of design possibilities open to them whether repoussé work, chasing, engraving or enameling, and demonstrate the imagination of the gold- or silversmith, whose works bring the world of long ago to life. This exhibition offers the rare opportunity to see works which are seldom displayed in public.