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Cabinet of Curiosities
[Multilingual Edition in English, French, German.] Cabinets of curiosities fascinated people of the 16th and 17th centuries. From crocodiles, minerals, and corals to paintings, ivory trophies, measuring instruments, and incredible automata, it was a glimpse into a world full of natural wonders and treasures that aimed to reflect the order of the universe. This magnificent volume takes us through the world’s most beautiful collections, into the Medici treasury or the Green Vault (Grünes Gewölbe) of Dresden, and offers no less than a brief cultural history of the miraculous.
The Wunderkammer, or “cabinet of curiosities,” saw collectors gathering objects from many strands of artistic, scientific, and intellectual endeavor, in an ambitious attempt to encompass all of humankind’s knowledge in a single room.
From the Grand Duke Francesco I de’ Medici and Holy Roman Emperor Rudolf II to Archduke Ferdinand II of Habsburg, these aristocratic virtuosos acquired, selected, and displayed the objects in real-life catalogues that represented the entire world—spanning architecture, interior design, painting, sculpture, gemology, geology, botany, biology and taxonomy, astrology, alchemy, anthropology, ethnography, and history.
Marvel at the unicorn horns (narwhal tusks), gems, rare coral growths, Murano glasswork, paintings and peculiar mechanical automata. Browse through illustrations of exotic and mythical creatures and discover the famed “Coburg ivories,” an astounding collection of crafted artifacts. These collections are nothing short of a journey through time, from the Renaissance and Age of Discovery, the Mannerist and Baroque periods, up to the present day. Although many of these cabinets of curiosities no longer exist, others have been meticulously reconstructed, and new ones born.
These marvelous cabinets of curiosities can now be explored by all in this XXL collection. To realize this mammoth undertaking, Massimo Listri traveled to seven European countries over several decades; the result is a set of gorgeous photographs, an authoritative yet accessible introduction, and detailed commentary on each of the 19 chambers highlighting the most remarkable items in each collection. Discover how these timeless treasures both describe and defined civilization, the modern concept of the museum, and our very knowledge of the universe.
The Wunderkammer, or “cabinet of curiosities,” saw collectors gathering objects from many strands of artistic, scientific, and intellectual endeavor, in an ambitious attempt to encompass all of humankind’s knowledge in a single room.
From the Grand Duke Francesco I de’ Medici and Holy Roman Emperor Rudolf II to Archduke Ferdinand II of Habsburg, these aristocratic virtuosos acquired, selected, and displayed the objects in real-life catalogues that represented the entire world—spanning architecture, interior design, painting, sculpture, gemology, geology, botany, biology and taxonomy, astrology, alchemy, anthropology, ethnography, and history.
Marvel at the unicorn horns (narwhal tusks), gems, rare coral growths, Murano glasswork, paintings and peculiar mechanical automata. Browse through illustrations of exotic and mythical creatures and discover the famed “Coburg ivories,” an astounding collection of crafted artifacts. These collections are nothing short of a journey through time, from the Renaissance and Age of Discovery, the Mannerist and Baroque periods, up to the present day. Although many of these cabinets of curiosities no longer exist, others have been meticulously reconstructed, and new ones born.
These marvelous cabinets of curiosities can now be explored by all in this XXL collection. To realize this mammoth undertaking, Massimo Listri traveled to seven European countries over several decades; the result is a set of gorgeous photographs, an authoritative yet accessible introduction, and detailed commentary on each of the 19 chambers highlighting the most remarkable items in each collection. Discover how these timeless treasures both describe and defined civilization, the modern concept of the museum, and our very knowledge of the universe.
356 pages, Hardcover
Published July 29, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
December 26, 2023
This book weights so much, and it is so light on text, and yet it was so beautifully produced, that I find it difficult to balance the rating. I simply wish I could have learned more about the meaning of the individual objects.
January 28, 2026
I can only be jealous of how many astonishing and downright bizarre objects kings and nobles had on hand to show off to their guests—or their lovers—between dinner and dessert. Highly recommended as a coffee table book for you or your guests - and lovers.
October 19, 2021
I worked in a museum in my younger days. I'm definitely a collector. I saw this book had to have it. Yes it's massive and heavy but worth it. Now I need a coffee table. Features beautiful photography.
And I realize I need some red coral now, it was Definitely a part of every collection, but I'll skip the taxidermy.
And I realize I need some red coral now, it was Definitely a part of every collection, but I'll skip the taxidermy.
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February 12, 2022I had been watching this book since it came out. Taschen had it on sale for half price $75 so I bought it. It is very beautiful but much larger than I expected- should have read the fine print- but it is a very nicely designed book- except for one thing- the type is not only tiny- it is printed on a rose gold background- will have to get out my magnifying glasses to read it. The text is in the corner of some very large pages so there was no reason to make it so tiny- even though it is repeated in 4 languages.I am a collector and have have half a dozen cabinets of curiosities- in various sizes for my collection.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews