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The Applied Art collection of the Upper Austrian Provincial Museum, which was begun immediately after the museum’s founding, owes its creation above all to a series of donations and bequests.
Among the early works, the Limoges enamel and the ivory reliefs of the Kastner donation are remarkable. From the late gothic the procession bars and vestry cabinet from Eferding are to be emphasized, as well as the gothic "Greifenklau" (a drinking container), large tin cup, brass chandelier and Beckenschläger plates.
The splendorous doors from Hartheim Castle, an Italian cassone (chest), bowls from Urbino, the imperial eagle cup from 1588, a tile series with allegories, the electoral prince’s stove from Wildhut Castle and the large stove from Würting are main works of the Renaissance and baroque collection, likewise the festival table from the Schwanenstadt finding, as well as the cradle and the giant chess game from Weinberg Castle.
The scythe smith’s room leads over to 19th century, which is represented by Viennese porcelain, miniature carvings by Johann Rints and the furniture of the Makart room. The important collection of Lobmayer and Lötz glasses as well as Viennese art nouveau jewellery and ceramics – including many works by Josef Hoffmann and Michael Powolny – will be nearly complete to see after the planned extension of the museum.
The collection covers among others about 400 pieces of furniture, 900 forged gold works, 500 tin works, 600 iron works, 1700 ceramic pieces, 500 porcelain works, 700 glasses, and 1200 miscellaneous works. The approximately 500 textile pieces are cared for by the restorer.
Fig. 3 “The Triumph of Peace over War”
Flanders, 2nd quarter of 18th c.
The tapestry originating from Pallavicini Palace in Vienna is part of a series that was once in the Matzleinsdorf parish church and was a donation from the Wratislaw von Mittrowitz family. Pax and Abundantia (peace and abundance) are represented, under whose protection the arts can unfold, while the war god Mars lies in chains and his weapons are burned.
Fig. 5 Michael Powolny, “Spring”, ceramics glazed with colour
from the Dianabad (“Diana baths”) in Vienna
The artist learned pottery from his father and founded the workshop Wiener Keramik (“Viennese ceramics”) with Berthold Löffler in 1906. Starting in 1912 it was managed by his student Franz Schleiss as Gmundner Keramik (“Gmunden ceramics”). Later Powolny was also active as a glass artist. The seasonal cycle from the Diana baths, which were destroyed in 1965/66, is one of his main works.
Publications
G. Knogler and L. Schultes, Schmuck-Zeichen am Körper. Ausstellungsführer (catalogues of the Upper Austrian Provincial Museum, 12), Linz, 1987
H. Dimt and B. Prokisch (ed.), Ausstellungskatalog Glas aus dem Böhmerwald (catalogues of the Upper Austrian Provincial Museum, 74), Linz, 1994
L. Schultes, Prächtig und phantasievoll. Barocke Möbelkunst in Oberösterreich, in: Parnass, Sonderheft Möbel (Special edition: furniture), 14:1998, p. 30-37
L. Schultes (ed.), Die Sammlung Kastner. vol. 5, Ostasiatische Kunst und Schmuck (catalogues of the Upper Austrian Provincial Museum, 136), Linz, 1999
L. Schultes (ed.), Ausstellungskatalog Linzer Teppiche. Kostbares aus der Wollzeugfabrik (catalogues of the Upper Austrian Provincial Museum, 150), Linz, 2000
Collection management
(prior appointment requested):
Dr. Lothar Schultes
Upper Austrian Provincial Museum
Castle Museum, Schlossberg 1
4010 Linz
Tel: +43-0732-774419-45
Fax: +43-0732-774419-29
E-mail: l.schultes@landesmuseum.at | 
