Kunstgewerbemuseum
(Museum of Decorative Arts)

The Kunstgewerbemuseum (Museum of Decorative Arts) resides today in Pillnitz Palace, nestled idyllically between vineyard-covered slopes and the River Elbe. In this Baroque setting, the virtuoso achievements of the Saxon court workshops are on display alongside a multifarious range of regional and international craftwork of five centuries.

The throne of August the Strong, his unusual silver furniture and colourful Chinese-style lacquered furniture from the royal apartments provide the visitor with insight into life at the Saxon court. Fine damasks, embroideries and laces as well as splendid glasses from the court wine cellars and selected objects from the royal collection of Italian majolica and Delft faience round out the picture.

On the journey through the history of crafts all the way to modern industrial design, the many works of Dresden art nouveau and the machine-made furniture of the “Deutsche Werkstätten” in Hellerau are special highlights, providing an impression of Dresden’s role as a cradle of modernity. Contemporary design is represented by examples from the oeuvres of Piero Fornasetti, Shiro Kuramata, Ron Arad, Dale Chihuli and many others.