Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden

Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden (SKD) is one of the oldest and most renowned museum institutions complexes in the world. It forms a network of fifteen institutionsmuseums operating in Dresden, Leipzig and Herrenhut and other cities and collaborates with partners worldwide. Its origins date back to the 16th century and the collections of the Saxon electors. The Porzellansammlung of the SKD is especially famous for its holdings of Meissen porcelain as well as Chinese and Japanese porcelain from the early modern period. This collection is regarded internationally as a reference standard. The cataloguing of the objects began as earlyfirst inventory dates back as far as 1721. In the 18th century, the collection comprised about 40,000 porcelain and stoneware pieces. During the Second World War, the collection was evacuated to palaces and mines, which helped save it from the destruction of Dresden. In 1945, most of the objects were taken to the Soviet Union as war trophies. After 1953, ninety percent of the seized works were returned to museums in East Germany. Since 1962, the public has been able to view them in the galleries of the Zwinger in Dresden. Nevertheless, wartime actions caused significant losses as well as damage to many surviving objects. For the preservation and care of To protect the collection, the Porzellansammlung established its own conservation laboratory cooperating with universities and research institutes. The institution museum conducts scientific research and applies modern methods of documentation and analysis. Around 8,000 East Asian ceramics from the historic collection of Augustus the Strong have been studied by an international team of experts and made available on a the digital platform “The Royal Dresden Porcelain Collection” together with descriptions comments and provenance data. The SKDIn keeping with the SKD’s general approach, the Porzellansammlung places strong emphasis on art education, offering programs for pupils, families, and visitors of all ages. It regularly organizes international conferences, training sessions, and workshops with experts from many countries. It forms a network of fifteen institutions operating in Dresden and other cities and collaborates with partners worldwide. The Friends of the Dresden Porcelain Collection association financially supports research, exhibitions, and heritage protection of the Porzellansammlung. The museum has extensive experience in transporting, lending, and organizing exhibitions of delicate porcelain objects. Thanks to its conservation, research, and educational expertise, the Porzellansammlung is today an important international center for the preservation and promotion of ceramic heritage.

 < SKD: Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden >