Can porcelain tell the story of war, persecution and loss?
As part of the Joining the Shards project, we present good practices developed by museums and cultural institutions in the field of storytelling related to ceramic heritage affected by war and conflict.
Another example is the practice of the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden – Porzellansammlung, focusing on the reconstruction of the porcelain collection of Dresden banker Gustav von Klemperer (1852–1926).
The Meissen porcelain collection belonging to the Klemperer family was confiscated during the Second World War and subsequently transferred to the Dresden Porcelain Collection. Provenance research made it possible to trace the history of the surviving objects, as well as to identify numerous losses suffered during and after the war.
Damaged objects and surviving fragments are of particular importance. These fragments of porcelain have become part of a narrative about persecution, war and its devastating consequences.
In 2011, a partially preserved Meissen figurine of Hippomenes, showing visible damage and traces of fire, was added to the Dresden Porcelain Collection. The object serves as a lasting reminder of the crimes of the Nazi regime and the consequences of war.
This is where storytelling takes on particular significance: the ceramic object becomes a carrier of memory of people and events, while its fragments and traces of destruction form an integral part of its history.
The innovative aspect of this practice also lies in incorporating the voices of the descendants of the Klemperer family into the narrative. Their films, photographs and diaries enriched the digital publication of the research findings, creating a more personal and engaging form of storytelling.
Joining the Shards demonstrates how conservation, provenance research and storytelling can work together to restore the memory of damaged and lost ceramic heritage.
More about the reconstruction of the porcelain collection of the Dresden banker Gustav von Klemperer You will find here:
“Joining the Shards – Upskilling of Museum Operators for the Valorization and Narration of EU Ceramic Heritage Impacted by War and Conflict” is co-funded by the European Union under the Erasmus+ KA220 – Cooperation Partnerships in Vocational Education and Training
