The Collection of Applied Arts

The collection of applied art of the Archbishopric of Olomouc consists of thematic collections and interior furnishings.

The thematic collections include a collection of hunting trophies and weapons. The collection of 218 hunting trophies from the 19th century includes trophies of Tsar Alexander III (1845-1894) and Emperor Franz Joseph I (1830-1916) from 1885. The collection of 125 weapons was created before 1885 and was modified on the occasion of the visit of Tsar Alexander III and Emperor Franz Joseph I to Kroměříž. The oldest weapon is a mace from the middle of the 15th century and the weapons from the original bishop’s armoury at Mírov Castle were used for the collection. Weapons from the Thirty Years’ War predominate, but there are also two late Gothic swords, two two-handed swords, parts of armour and half-armour, as well as an Arabic rifle from the 16th century.

The furniture collection includes two Renaissance jewellery boxes, tables, chairs, chests, armchairs, chests of drawers, beds and wardrobes from the 18th-19th centuries. There is a large collection of historicizing furniture, acquired during interior renovations in the second half of the 19th century. Exceptional in design is a neo-Renaissance inlaid bedroom, purchased in Rome by Archbishop Theodore Kohn (1893-1904). The old library is furnished with atypical rococo and classical furniture, two star and two earth globes from the 17th century. The representative interiors are complemented by collections of chandeliers, mirrors, Empire and historicist faience and tile stoves, and collections of glass, porcelain, pewter and textiles. Curiosities include a collection of decorative addresses. In the chateau chapel there is a preserved Baroque and historicist tabernacle, in the Manse and Throne Hall there are bishop’s thrones.

Translated by deepl.com