You may remember that in my Dresden post I mentioned our visit to the ‘Green Vault’ and avowed that there were enough pictures to warrant a separate BLOG entry. This is that entry.
First, the name. The current ceiling is neither green nor vaulted. But back in the day…
Second, these treasures exist because during the war they were carted off upstream to a castle well away from the city.
Third, Augustus the Strong collected three things: mistresses, oddities, and amazing objects. This museum is dedicated to the last of those (and a bit of the second as well).
So to the photos:
The first object to greet you as you enter is a marble clock. Each minute a small crystal ball is ejected thru the opening you can see at the top of the ramp and twirls its way down to the base.There were quite a few ivory objects, some turned like this one (but note the multi-layered ball on the top).Turning an object like this would be incredibly complicated (and risky).Some were carved.Delicately carvedAmazingly carved.There are several pieces joined together, but the hull is a single piece of ivory. The rigging is gold wire. There ivory sailers climbing up there. The sails are made from scraping the inside of elephant tusks.And of course it wouldn’t be a collection without St. George and the dragon.Speaking of dragonsMore clocks. I’’m sorry you can’t see more of the detail – it was ‘interesting’ to shoot thru glass with so much light on the objects.Lest you think wood is not worthy…this backgammon board is inlaid wood – amazingly small pieces of wood inlaid in stunning patterns.More clocks. Augustus tS was the driving force behind porcelain production in Meissen.Oddities fit for a kingThis total piece is 3 inches tall.A beverage set for 2 – for serving coffee, tea, and chocolateI don’t even remember what this is.This piece shows the presentation of gifts to a sultan.The sultan sits in the center, surrounded by his advisers and hangers-on.Ambassadors from the east bring elephants and precious gifts.Ambassadors from India arrive in state.More gifts. You get the idea AtS was big on receiving gifts.And how do you present an ostrich egg?This is a ceramic fireplace.And a golden jewelry casketWhat do you get the king who has everything? Why, coral handled dinnerware, of course!And, finally, a simple jewelry box.
There was so much more – stuff, not time. I hope you’ve enjoyed this sampling of a king’s treasure.
