2008 - Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden

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Eberhard Baldewein, Planetary Clock
(detail), 1563 – 1568, Marburg and Kassel,
Mathematisch-Physikalischer Salon
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clock. The complex measures required to
secure and preserve this masterpiece involved
a broad range of technologies and
methods. The workshop of the Mathematisch-Physikalischer
Salon has the necessary
know-how. The dismantling and
reassembly of the complex mechanical
components demands a high level of
conservational skill and many years of ex-
perience in dealing with complicated and
delicate mechanical systems, as well as a
thorough understanding of the astronomy
on which it is based.
In addition to the treatment of the various
materials, the emphasis was primarily
on conservation work. Scientific analyses
of the materials, the close collaboration
with specialists from the Bayerisches
Nationalmuseum, the Staatliche Museen
in Kassel and the other restoration workshops
of the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen
Dresden were intended not only to ensure
the acquisition of sound information
about the historic materials and techniques
but also to guarantee the longterm
success of the restoration work. It is
expected that the work will be completed
during the second half of 2009.
Detail of the Christ Child from the sculpture of
the Madonna and Child, part of an altarpiece
from St. Michael’s Church in Zeitz, before 1521.
Hardwood, painted. Height: 187 cm, condition
during restoration, Skulpturensammlung
münzkabinett
• Coin find from Kömmlitz (Delitzsch District)
In 1990, during inspection of an area designated
for open-cast lignite mining close
to the demolished village of Kömmlitz,
a hoard of coins from the early modern
period was discovered. The 292 coins had
been concealed in a brown glazed earthenware
jug. The coins range in date from
1569/71 to 1727. The find consists mainly
of Brandenburg-Prussian and Saxon coins.
The oldest object in the hoard is an undated
Schwarzburg Groschen from the
Arnstadt mint produced under Count
Günther XLI (1552 – 1583). The most recent
coins are two 5-Kreuzer pieces from the
Duchy of Württemberg and a 10-Kreuzer
piece from the Landgraviate of Hessen-
Darmstadt, all from the year 1727 (date of
concealment therefore not earlier than
1727). In order for the hoard to be fully and
precisely identified, it was necessary to
clean and remove corrosion from a total
of 97 coins. At the same time, several
coins which had corroded together had to
be gently separated. After the completion
of restoration it became clear that the
majority of the coins were in a very good
to excellent state of preservation.
Brandenburg-Prussia, Elector Friedrich III (1688 – 1733), 2/3 Taler 1691,
Magdeburg mint; Obverse and reverse of the coin before and after
restoration, Münzkabinett
Rüstkammer
The restoration workshop of the Rüstkammer
is engaged in intensive preparations,
encompassing detailed scientific studies
and large-scale restoration work, for the
transfer of the museum to the Residenzschloss
and the installation and opening
of the Türckische Cammer. One of the outstanding
tasks among the large amount
of restoration work required for the
Türckische Cammer is the completion of
work on the largest of the Rüstkammer’s
Ottoman tents, which has been undergoing
restoration for several years now. Another
major restoration project is the continuation
of work on the set of ceremonial
arms produced by Prague goldsmith Johann
Michael, one of the Türckische Cammer’s
pre-eminent masterpieces of European
craftsmanship in oriental style.
• The Court Costume of Elector Moritz
Renaissance costume restored for Dresden
at the Abegg-Stiftung, Switzerland
In 2008 the Rüstkammer was able to take
possession of this costume as a special
kind of donation. The Abegg-Stiftung in
Riggisberg had generously taken over the
task of restoring this court costume belonging
to Elector Moritz of Saxony (1521 –
1553), a project which took several years.
The yellow and black silk garment decorated
with gold and silver braiding dates
from the height of the fashion era reflect-