A world-famous cup
Christian Hörack
21. October 2020
A royal cup from the 16th century grabbed the world’s attention before, and again after, industrialisation.
accessibility.sr-only.body-term
Atelier Bossard in Lucerne was one of Switzerland’s most renowned goldsmith’s workshops in the 19th century. Splendid trophies, silverware and jewellery were produced under the leadership of company founder Johann Karl Bossard (1846-1914). The staff not only created their own designs but also crafted exact copies of historical objects from the Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque periods. Craftsmanship had recovered its appeal as people pushed back against industrial mass production. A visit to Bossard’s and the purchase of a prestige item were de rigueur for wealthy noble families and rich industrialists in the booming tourist city of Lucerne. In 2013, the contents of the goldsmith’s workshop were added to the collection at the Swiss National Museum. The exhibition in the National Museum Zurich’s Hall of Fame displays designs, models and historical photos in addition to the workshop’s most beautiful pieces, reviving Bossard’s former brilliance.
Do 15.8.2024
18:00 – 19:00 Uhr
Guided tour
Brilliant craftsmanship
Sa 23.11.2024
13:30 – 14:30 Uhr
Guided tour
Brilliant craftsmanship
Brilliant craftsmanship
Guided tour for private groups
Guided tour of the exhibition "Brilliant craftsmanship. Bossard Goldsmiths Lucerne".
Tour: 1 hour
Guided tours can be arranged outside opening hours: Mon between 9.30 am and 6 pm, Tue to Fri between 9.30 am and 7.45 pm. Sat and Sun between 10 am and 5 pm
| Registration: |
2 weeks in advance |
|
|
Duration: |
60 minutes; special packages can be offered on request |
|
|
Group size: |
max. 25 participants per tour |
|
|
Languages: |
English, German, Italian, French. Other offers upon request. |
|
|
Cost: |
CHF 180 for the guided tour + CHF 10 admission per person Children up to 16 years free. For groups of people with permit N, S, B, F (refugee) or F (foreigner), the guided tour and admission are free of charge. |
accessibility.sr-only.person_card_info Reservations desk
National Museum Zurich
+41 44 218 66 00
reservationen@nationalmuseum.ch
openinghours.days.long.monday Open till openinghours.days.long.friday openinghours.openfromto.long
Brilliant craftsmanship – Introductory tour
Secondary level I and II
Guided tour of the exhibition «Brilliant craftsmanship. Bossard Goldsmiths Lucerne».
1 hour
Guided tours are free of charge for school classes from Switzerland.
Guided tours in English can be arranged, even outside opening hours. Guided tours are free of charge for school classes from Switzerland.
| Booking: |
at least 2 weeks in advance |
|
|
Duration: |
1 hour guided tours, other services by prior arrangement |
|
|
Group size: |
max. 25 people |
|
|
Cost: |
Guided tours for school classes from Switzerland are free of charge. |
accessibility.sr-only.person_card_info Reservations desk
National Museum Zurich
+41 44 218 66 00
reservationen@nationalmuseum.ch
openinghours.days.long.monday Open till openinghours.days.long.friday openinghours.openfromto.long
Brilliant craftsmanship. Bossard Goldsmiths Lucerne
National Museum Zurich
| 19.7.2024 - 6.4.2025
published on 17.7.2024
Atelier Bossard was one of Switzerland’s most renowned goldsmith’s workshops in the 19th century. Splendid trophies, silverware and jewellery were produced for buyers from all over the world under the leadership of company founder Johann Karl Bossard. The exhibition in the National Museum Zurich revives the former brilliance of the Lucerne family company.
Johann Karl Bossard (1846-1914) learned his trade as a goldsmith in his father’s workshop at Hirschenplatz in Lucerne. After spending some years completing his apprenticeship and travelling, which brought him to the US, he took over his father’s workshop and made it into an international name of outstanding repute.
Lucerne and Lake Lucerne have always been a tourist magnet. It is therefore no surprise that Bossard’s clientele included self-made industrialists as well as old European nobility. A visit to Bossard’s and the purchase of a prestige item were once de rigueur. Churches, guilds and associations also placed regular orders there.
Craftsmanship experienced a renaissance in the 19th century as people pushed back against industrial mass production. Atelier Bossard’s up to 20 specialised staff not only developed their own designs, they also crafted exact copies of historical objects from the Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque periods. Their range was replete with glittering pieces: trophies and centrepieces, jewellery, silver cutlery and splendid Swiss daggers.
One of the workshop’s most unusual creations was a monumental showpiece lit from within made for John Wanamaker (1838-1922), founder and innovative manager of large-scale warehouses in Philadelphia and New York. It displays the five towers from Lucerne’s fortifications and the town hall tower in the form of a castle.
Johann Karl Bossard added antique trading as a second pillar to his business in the 1880s. He set up premises in Lucerne’s old town with rooms decorated in different period styles. Bossard also recreated these “historic” interiors for his clients.
The contents of the goldsmith’s workshop, the thousands of designs, models, prints and historical photos were added to the collection at the Swiss National Museum in 2013 and documented in an extensive publication. A selection of this work is now being exhibited for the first time in the National Museum Zurich’s Hall of Fame from 19 July 2024 to 6 April 2025.
Images
National Museum Zurich press contact
National Museum Zurich
+41 44 218 65 64
medien@nationalmuseum.ch
- Overall management Denise Tonella
- Project direction Christian Weiss, Christian Hörack
- Curators and Concept Christian Hörack, Christian Weiss
- Scenography Bureau Hindermann GmbH, Zürich: Christine Grauer, Christof Hindermann, Tobias Maurer
- Exhibition graphic Herendi Artemisio GmbH, Zürich: Tiziana Artemisio, Milana Herendi, Anna Deér
- Project support Heidi Amrein, Luca Tori
- Advisory committee Günhan Akarçay, Heidi Amrein, Beat Högger, Markus Leuthard, Sabrina Médioni, Denise Tonella
- Project controlling Sabrina Médioni
- Cultural services and museum education Lisa Engi, Vera Humbel, Jörg Ramel
- Technical management Debbie Sledsens
- Exhibition construction Marc Hägeli, Dave Schwitter, Philippe Leuthardt, Ira Allemann, Sophie Lühr, Ian Hügi
- Conservation management Sarah Longrée, Charlotte Maier
- Conservation and mounting of objects Natalie Ellwanger, Iona Leroy, Sarah Longrée, Charlotte Maier, Jürg Mathys, Gaby Petrak, Ulrike Rothenhäusler, Tino Zagermann
- Loans and object logistics Christian Affentranger, David Blazquez, Simon d’Hollosy, Reto Hegetschweiler, Laura Mosimann, Aymeric Nager, Claudio Stefanutto, Samira Tanner
- Photography Jörg Brandt, Felix Jungo
- Picture library Remo Sidler, Fabian Müller, Andrea Kunz
- IT | Web Alex Baur, Danilo Rüttimann, Thomas Bucher
- Media stations Alex Baur, Thomas Bucher, Pasquale Pollastro
- Marketing and Communication Andrej Abplanalp, Anna-Britta Maag, Sebastiano Mereu, Carole Neuenschwander, Alexander Rechsteiner
- Advertising graphic Resort GmbH für Visuelle Kommunikation, Zürich
- Translations Nigel Stephenson, Laurence Neuffer, Noè Bizzozero, Language Factory
- Bistum und Stiftsbibliothek St. Gallen
- Museum Aargau, Lenzburg
- Museum Kloster Muri, Muri AG
- PES Collection, Zug
- Zunft zum Kämbel, Zürich
- Zunft zum Widder, Zürich
- Matthias Berger, Zürich
- Karl Bossard, Horw
- Andres von Buch, La Barra de Maldonado, Uruguay
- Christine Lanz, Zürich
- Charlotte Vonder Mühll, Basel
The Swiss National Museum would like to thank the Willy G. S. Hirzel Foundation for its support.