The unique, rare, exceptional and outstanding was viewed as desirable.
In the Renaissance chambers of art and wonders were encyclopaedic universal collections that attempted to capture the entire knowledge of their era. Above all, that which was unique, rare, exceptional, and outstanding was viewed as desirable. The Chamber of Art and Wonders at Ambras Castle was already viewed in the sixteenth century as one of the most significant of its type and is the only Kunstkammer of the Renaissance period still situated in its original building.
‘Tödlein’ before 1519; artist: Hans Leinberger
The Chamber of Art and Wonders
Archduke Ferdinand II built up a collection exceptional in its scope as well as its quality: crystal goblets, works of silver and gold, as well as bronze sculptures, valuable glass, filigreed turnery, numismatics, and weapons. In addition to artistic and artisanal objects of superb quality, the collection also contained scientific as well as musical instruments.
The sheer quantity of objects were housed, mainly organized according to their materials, in 20 ceiling-high wooden cabinets. The most special objects were taken out from the cabinets when needed and could be more closely examined on their own presentation tables.
Exotic and unusual objects of nature as well as portraits of people and animals that were viewed as ‘wonders of nature’ were collected. The collection still contains unparalleled pieces as well as absolute rarities, and includes one of the largest collections of ‘exotica’ – that is, originating from beyond Europe – of its time.
Ivory ball, Southern Germany, 2nd half of 16th cent.
Coral stem, Genoa (?), 1st half of 16th cent.
Palm leaf fan, Siam, Malaysia, 2nd half of 16th cent.
Today’s appearance of the Chamber of Art and Wonders dates back to 1974, when it was reorganized according to Ferdinand’s original concepts based on the Ambras inventory.
Ferdinand built up a collection that was exceptional both in its scope as well as its quality.
Crystal goblets, works in silver and gold, bronze sculptures, valuable glassworks, as well as filigreed turnery, numismatics, and weapons. In addition to artistic and artisanal objects of superb quality, the collection also contained scientific as well as musical instruments. Exotic and unusual objects of nature as well as portraits of people and animals that were viewed as ‘wonders of nature’ were collected.
Archduke Ferdinand II (1529–1595) Kneeler in eagle armour c.1550, artist: Francesco Terzio (?)
Lidded goblet of rhinoceros horn, late 16th cent., Indo-Portuguese, Goa, or Lisbon
Count Vlad III Dracul Tzepesch, 2nd half of 16th cent., German
The Chamber of Art and Wonders still contains unparalleled pieces as well as absolute rarities, and includes one of the largest collections of ‘exotica’ – that is, originating from beyond Europe – of its time.
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