Secret document revealed: Baroque cabinet with 300 years of history!

Secret document revealed: Baroque cabinet with 300 years of history!

In the Herzog Anton Ulrich Museum in Braunschweig, researchers have made a truly exciting discovery. During the restoration of a baroque collection cabinet from the 18th century, they came across a hidden document that reveals a secret from the past. This event was made possible by the modern technology of a digital X-ray system, which revealed a hidden cavity in the cabinet in which the document was carefully rolled up. Loud ndr.de The piece is dated to the years 1729/30 and names Johann Ulrich Staats as the creator of the cabinet.

What’s special about this find? The cabinet maker Staats had been considered missing since 1830 after a fire in the Braunschweig residential palace destroyed numerous works of art and furniture. The display cabinet that came into the spotlight during the restoration was one of twelve cabinets made between 1725 and 1730 for Duke August Wilhelm of Braunschweig-Wolfenbüttel to display valuable treasures. How 3landesmuseen-braunschweig.de According to reports, ten of these cabinets were intended for the most important room in the art collection.

A breakthrough for research

The find is celebrated as a “breakthrough for research on Baroque furniture art in northern Germany”. The document now makes it possible to clearly connect Staats with the four cabinets preserved in the museum. These cabinets are not only aesthetically pleasing but also technical masterpieces, as they were originally designed with mirrored back panels and glass doors to optimize the display of precious items.

However, the knowledge gained during the restoration goes even further. The use of olive wood in a piece of furniture from Braunschweig was proven for the first time. This leads to new perspectives on the use of woods and aggregates in early 18th century court furniture art. Restoring the cabinet's original appearance, including the vibrant colors of the wood, is another positive aspect of this restoration work.

Insight into the future

With a view to the coming years, those responsible are already planning the restoration and research of three additional display cabinets by the 275th anniversary of the Herzog Anton Ulrich Museum in 2029. The results will result in a comprehensive exhibition on courtly art and representational culture of the 18th century. This exhibition, which is already taking shape in the minds of researchers, will undoubtedly present a large part of the research results collected.

In summary, one can look forward to the presentation of the restored display cabinet, which will take place in the museum on September 21, 2025 by restorer Ursel Gaßner. The surprising discovery of a small piece of history shows once again that art and culture are alive - even after centuries.

Further details about this remarkable find can be found at museums Fernsehen.de be read.