A new centre for the art of stained glass, the only one of its kind in Germany, was founded in Linnich – between Aachen and Mönchengladbach – in 1997. The museum is next to Germany's oldest stained glass workshop. Around 1,500 works are currently on show in the permanent exhibition (approx. 1,400m˛, six floors) entitled "Three centuries of stained glass". The stained glass looks particularly beautiful against the bright museum windows – light transformed into glass. One entire floor offers insights into the production of mouth-blown panes of glass. Visitors can try their hand at glass and lead came cutting in organised sessions at the museum workshop. Guided tours available. Closed on Mondays.
» www.glasmalerei-museum.de
A variety of exquisite objets d'art from the collection of the department of arts, crafts and sculpture is displayed on the top floor of the Hessian State Museum. The exhibition spans the 8th century to the 19th century and is grouped into themes such as porcelain, glass and medieval sculpture. Visitors can see silver vessels, goblets, faience (Höchst, Flörsheim, Frankfurt and Kassel), porcelain (Meissen and Fulda), enamelled glassware and baroque glassware by various manufacturers, art and design and furniture. Closed on Mondays.
» www.museum-kassel.de
The main museum building was designed by American architect Richard Meier and erected in the beautiful grounds of Villa Metzler in 1985. The villa is an integral part of the design and is linked to the newer building via a glass walkway. Visitors to Frankfurt's most stunning "cabinet of arts and curiosities" can admire treasures made of gold, plastic, porcelain, wood, glass, ivory, wool, enamel, amber, rubber and silver, from Europe, the Orient and the Far East. On display are a total of around 30,000 items including book art, graphic art, design, European arts and crafts, arts and crafts of East Asia and Islamic art. Closed on Mondays.
» www.museumfuerangewandtekunst.frankfurt.de
Founded in 1888, the Museum of Applied Art in Cologne is devoted to arts, crafts and design from the Middle Ages to the present day. On show are furniture and ceramics from the Middle Ages and the early modern period, textiles and jewellery. The focal points of the collection are European arts and crafts from the Middle Ages to the present day, glass (Italy 16th century, Germany 18th century, art nouveau), silver, pewter, jewellery (Gothic to present day), textiles (Gobelins, silk) and fashion (1800 to the present), 20th century design, posters and a collection of ornamental engravings. In special exhibitions the museum presents and discusses artists and developments across the applied arts spectrum, including the fields of architecture and fashion, photography, film and a range of interdisciplinary artistic approaches. Closed on Mondays. Guided tours available.
» www.museenkoeln.de
The graceful exhibition rooms at the old town hall have been home to the delightful Plauen Lace Museum since 1984. The exhibition illustrates and explains how Plauen lace acquired its prestige and brought the town its international reputation in the 19th century, culminating in a Grand Prix at the Paris World Exposition in 1900. Among the exquisite treasures in the permanent exhibition are a pantograph embroidery machine (1910), a multi-head embroidery machine (1932), needle lace, hand lace (1880), batiste lace, tulle lace, filigree chemical lace, appliqués for all-overs, collars, table cloths, fine accessories 1880-1985, party frocks and wedding gowns 1910-1984. Open all year round, on Sundays by arrangement only.
» www.plauen.de
The Westerwald Ceramics Museum is in the Kannenbäcker potteries region. Opened in 1982, it has over 1,500m˛ of exhibition space in which the history of ceramics is traced through more than five centuries. The museum offers a comprehensive insight into the development of ceramics: from the early days of Westerwald saltglaze stoneware through the splendid vessels of the Renaissance to art nouveau examples and exhibits from the 1950s, 1960s and even the 1990s. Works by contemporary ceramicists are also on show. The exhibition illustrates the different methods of making ceramics and their many applications: from a water pipe to a factory-produced coffee service. Open all year round, on Mondays by arrangement only. Guided tours on request.
» www.keramikmuseum.de
Northern Germany's only porcelain museum is at the Fürstenberg porcelain factory, one of Germany's oldest and most famous porcelain manufacturers (since 1747). The historical and modern collections on display illustrate three centuries of porcelain manufacturing, traditional craft skills and the history of the Fürstenberg factory. Works from the art and design departments are also on show during special exhibitions. A film and an impressive array of exhibits offer visitors a range of insights into the porcelain manufacturing process. The exhibition also has special work stations where certain techniques are demonstrated. The castle's collection of exquisite porcelain, special events programme and porcelain painting courses make it a very popular attraction. Closed on Mondays and 24-26 Dec, 31 Dec-12 Jan. Guided tours in several languages on request.
» www.fuerstenberg-porzellan.com
This museum, which opened in 1994, is in the house where Berta Hummel, artist and nun, was born. The exhibition on two floors presents a cross-section of Berta Hummel's art. On the ground floor is what must be the world's largest collection of old Hummel figures and Hummel dolls. Photographs and original models illustrate the development of a Hummel figure from the master illustration to the finished product. Although it was the Hummel figures that made Berta Hummel world-famous, the museum also presents the other side of her work. Her still lifes, landscapes, town scenes, religious art, nudes, portraits, caricatures, applied arts and much more are shown in a programme of special exhibitions. Guided tours on request.
» www.hummelmuseum.de
The "Little Saxon Switzerland" miniature park and workshops opened in Wehlen in 1998. The park (approx. 3,500m˛) presents a miniature version of Saxon Switzerland's amazing landscape and rock formations. The miniature crags were hewn from Elbe sandstone by local craftsmen. The wide range of attractions includes historical model boats, miniature railways, a coaching inn with stagecoach, the first trolley-bus, a pond with remote-control model boats, some delightful excursion destinations, castles, stately homes and much more. Local souvenirs, jewellery and household items are handcarved from local Elbe sandstone in the demonstration workshop. Open from the end of March to the end of October and on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Saturday and Sunday of Advent. Guided tours by arrangement.
» www.kleine-saechsische-schweiz.de
