Time

The Cabinet of Artefacts and Natural Curiosities of the Francke Foundation is a unique testimony to its time: it is considered to be the only almost completely preserved bourgeois cabinet of curiosities. To this day, not only the original room and the historical furniture have been preserved, but also the internal organisation, the objects and even the handwritten inventories. It was already open to the public in the 18th century and fulfilled an educational function. In the course of the 19th century, it was increasingly overshadowed by specialised school collections, but nevertheless continued to exist. Despite some losses, its core collection has remained almost unchanged to this day. From the late 19th century, its historical value began to be rediscovered - an interest that was also reflected in academic research in the 20th century.

Photographs from 1952 - 1990

[Translate to English:] Bildunterschrift + Fotograf?

A central element of the early modern use of the Cabinet of Artefacts and Natural Curiosities was its lively exchange. Visits were open to everyone, men and women of all social classes. Everyone was to be shown the »due honor«. There were tours in the morning at 10 am and in the afternoon at 3 pm. Special tours were also offered, which were primarily intended for aristocrats, from whom it was hoped that generous donations would be made.

12 Instructions for the right way to lead people - An excerpt from the »Instructionen für den Herumführer« in German

[Translate to English:] »Instructionen für den Herumführer« (1741)

»Die Rechte Art und Methode muß also 1) aus den Haupt Absichten 2) aus der Beschaffenheit der Personen die Herumgeführet werden und 3) aus den objectis [Objekten] selbst die zu zeigen sind, genommen werden. Sie ist aber zum grosten Theil auf.....«

Witnesses of time

Some objects in the collection are silent witnesses to the times. For example, the Salzburg costume figurines, which came into the collection between 1741 and 1787. They are culturally and historically significant, as the shape and color of their clothing provide an insight into everyday life in past centuries. At the same time, they refer to a historical event: the expulsion of Salzburg Protestants from 1731 onwards. Some of them were taken into the orphanage and later sent to various other regions of the world. The figures thus tell not only of costume and tradition, but also of expulsion, new beginnings and the importance of collecting as a form of storytelling.

The history of the Cabinet of Artefacts and Natural Curiosities

Photographs from 1952 - 1990

12 Instructions for the right way to lead people - An excerpt from the »Instructionen für den Herumführer« in German

Witnesses of time

Chapter selection

Room

Time

Order

Perspectives