Completed in 1617, the Pomeranian Kunstschrank is one of the great creations of European art history and a masterly feat of Augsburg artisanry. As the most important piece of furniture in the curiosity chambers of its time, the cabinet together with its inventory was a testament to the sophisticated taste and erudition of its patron. Conceived by art agent Philipp Hainhofer for Duke Philipp II of Pomerania-Stettin, the cabinet was crafted over a period of seven years by over twenty Augsburg artist-craftsmen, and hundreds of valuable objects were specially created for it. This included writing things, games, paintings, silverware, toiletries, and scientific instruments. In the Second World War, the precious ebony and silver cabinet was destroyed. Its content, however, survived and, to this day, is the highlight of the Berlin Kunstgewerbemuseum (Museum of Decorative Arts). For the first time after 400 years, the unique ensemble has returned to its place of origin and is presented together with further curiosity chamber furniture and objects, as well as all of Hainhofer's albums.
