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Cabinet of Curiosities Power and helplessness

1 Ermine (animal preparation)
2 Burgdorf town sergeant’s robe with matching two-pointed hat, gift of the Swiss Zähringer towns, 1973, Burgdorf, RS-31.101
3 Demon mask; Oaxaca, Mexico, Central America; gift from Eléonore Sennwald 2003, ES-20809
4 Demon mask; Oaxaca, Mexico, Central America; gift from Eléonore Sennwald 2003, ES-20821
5 Mask of the Sinhalese Kolam Theatre, depicting the snake demon Naga Rassa; Sri Lanka, South Asia; Gift Armin and Charles Im Obersteg 1927 , SIO VI 20
6 Mask of the Sinhalese Kolam Theatre, depicting the snake demon Naga Rassa; Sri Lanka, South Asia; provenance unclear, ES-20329
7 Mask of the Sinhalese Kolam Theatre, representing the demon Gara Yaka; Sri Lanka, South Asia; gift Armin and Charles Im Obersteg 1927, SIO VI 21
8 Iron foot clamp, undetermined date, origin unknown, RS-0.6371 and RS-0.6372
9 Panther, carved and painted, toy; Ivory Coast, West Africa; gift of H. Frickart 1921, ES-1428
10 Caiman (taxidermy)
11 Muzzle for small dog, made of wire with leather padding, 2nd half 19th century, Burgdorf, RS-8.143.a
12 Leather dog collar with metal spikes, undetermined date, origin unknown, RS-0.226
13 Toy: wooden zoo enclosure, with five cages, undetermined date, Nidau, RS-24.156
14 Slaughter horse (taxidermy)
15 Magnificent Neuchâtel pendulum with clockwork by Josué Robert in La Chaux-de-Fonds, the clock comes from the upscale household of the salt factors Dübelt or Aeschlimann at Schmiedengasse 9 in Burgdorf, around 1750, Burgdorf, RS-47.7

Tick-Tock
In 1944, retired priest Alexander Schiesser bequeathed this pendulum clock with other objects from his home at Schmiedengasse 9 to the Knights Hall Association. The objects came from the former owners of his house: the rich salt merchants Johannes Dübelt, Johann Jakob Dübelt, his son, and Johann Rudolf Aeschlimann, his youngest grandson. The canton of Bern had granted these gentlemen the monopoly of the salt trade in the 18th. and 19th. centuries and they supplemented it with international trade in colonial goods.
The movement of the magnificent Louis XV pendulum was made by La Chaux-de-Fonds watchmaker Josué Robert. Mr. Schiesser hoped that the clock would stand in the hall of the municipal council of Burgdorf and it was there that it tick-tocked for seventy years before coming into the museum’s collection. However, since the clock arrived in the museum, its hands have never moved.
16 Samurai armour, ensemble of three different suits of armour, such mixed ensembles were common at the end of the 19th century and intended for sale to travellers; Japan, East Asia; gift Armin and Charles Im Obersteg 1927, SIO VII 4
16 Feather ornament with train, Sioux Chief, Deposit Carl Im Obersteg-Friedlin 1921, Gift Armin and Charles Im Obersteg 1927, probably last quarter 19th century, USA, ES-5245

Native American in Burgdorf
With feather jewellery, leather clothing, moccasins and a tomahawk: this was the image of a Native American in Switzerland around 1900. From 1874, Carl Im Obersteg travelled the USA and Canada in the service of a Basel travel agency for emigrants. On these journeys, he acquired an ensemble of pieces of various origins, which were put together for collectors or museums. The first curator of the ethnological collection, Arnold Kordt, had a head specially made in Vienna in 1922 so that he could present the ‘Chief’ as a complete display figure. This moulded the image of Native Americans for generations of visitors.
The museum, together with a polyphonic support group, decided to remove all display figures from the exhibitions.The aim was to avoid passing on simplified stereotypes and images characterised and distorted by colonialism.
17 Image: Portrait of Michael Wagner (1627 – 1680), Schultheiss in Burgdorf 1664-1670, 1661, Zurich, RS-11.2985
18 Image: Portrait of Karl Niklaus von Wagner (1751 – 1818), Schultheiss in Burgdorf 1790-1796, 1791, Bern, RS-11.3042
19 Image: Portrait of Marguerite Wagner-Pury (b. 1629), wife of Schultheissen Michael Wagner in Burgdorf, 1661, Zurich, RS-11.2986
20 Image: Portrait of Sophie M. von Wagner-Wagner (1761 – 1818), wife of the Burgdorf Schultheissen Karl Niklaus von Wagner, 1791, Bern, RS-11.3043
21 Giant demonic mask, such masks are often found at temple entrances; Japan, East Asia; gift Armin and Charles Im Obersteg 1927, SIO VII 19
22 Image: Portrait of Hans Heinrich von Steiger (1661 – 1724), Schultheiss in Burgdorf 1698-1704, 1705, Bern, RS-11.2987
23 Pipe tomahawk; Deposit Carl Im Obersteg-Friedlin 1921, Gift Armin and Charles Im Obersteg 1927; probably last quarter 19th century, USA, ES-5246
24 Leather trouser (leggins), with quillwork, Sioux; Deposit Carl Im Obersteg-Friedlin 1921, Gift Armin and Charles Im Obersteg 1927, probably last quarter 19th century, USA, ES-5240
25 Dark brown tin hand hoover, brand “Bison”, 1910 um, origin unknown, RS-0.6039
26 Picture: Portrait of Joh. Samuel Frisching-Wyss (1638-1721), from 1670 to 1676 Schultheiss in Burgdorf, painted by Joseph Werner, 1695 (= year of birth + age 57), Rümligen, RS-44.44
27 Image: Portrait of Marianne Ruef – Schwendimann (1790-1861), wife of the lead white manufacturer Ruef in the Burgdorf Zoo, painted by Friedrich Walthard, 1849, Zurich, RS-11.3002
28 Image: Portrait of Joseph Heinrich Ruef – Schwendimann (1786-1870), lead white manufacturer in the Burgdorf Zoo, painted by Friedrich Walthard, 1849, Zurich, RS-11.3001
29 Painted tin figure of a Black Forest clock man (pedlar) holding a wall clock, 2nd quarter 19th century, Burgdorf, RS-13.457
30 Image: Portrait of Johann Jakob Dysli of Burgdorf (1660 – 1708), officer in French service in the Manuel regiment, 1698, Worb, RS-11.2513
31 Image: Portrait of an unknown man (part of a couple), probably from the Gammeter family in Burgdorf, 1859, Burgdorf, RS-11.2485.a
32 Image: Portrait of an unknown woman (part of a couple), probably from the Gammeter family in Burgdorf, 1859, Burgdorf, RS-11.2485.b
33 Giant demonic mask, such masks are often found at temple entrances; Japan, East Asia; gift Armin and Charles Im Obersteg 1927, SIO VII 18
34 Polecat (taxidermy)
35 Wooden representative staff with brass tip bearing a Burgdorf coat of arms, undetermined date, Burgdorf, RS-0.490
36 Sceptre of a dignitary; China, Asia; gift of Henri Schiffmann 1904, ES-2443
37 Stick with human figure; presumed Borneo, Indonesia, Southeast Asia; gift of Gregory K. Elias 1995, ES-8152
38 Ceremonial staff with carved head; Baule, Ivory Coast, West Africa; provenance unknown, ES-12100
39 Wooden weibel or court baton with pommel and tip in silver, 18th century ?, Burgdorf, RS-9.10
40 1 pair of Sioux-style moccasins, Suede embroidered with glass beads in red, white, blue; undetermined date, North America; ES-716, ES-717
41 Katar, push dagger from South Asia, RS-24.33
42 Image: Portrait of the Emmental peasant leader Niklaus Leuenberger (1615-1653), after a painting by Albrecht Kauw, 17th century, Burgdorf, RS-11.458
43 Pike (taxidermy)
44 Rook (taxidermy)
45 Image: Portrait of Elisabeth Zaugg von Hubershus, later married to J. U. Wirth vom Gehrisberg / Wyssachen, c. 1820, Wyssachen, RS-11.2379
46 Image: Portrait of the bookbinder Johann Jakob Kupferschmid-Steinegger of Burgdorf (1713-1798), founder of a trading house in Burgdorf, c. 1750, Zofingen, RS-36.34
47 Image: Portrait of Friedrich Bay-Bitzius (1768-1821), Brotbeck in Bern, c. 1800, Burgdorf, RS-11.3020
48 2 sketches (Ausrufer and Sämi Gägg) from the album with portrait drawings of the Burgdorf stove fitter Rud. Samuel Gammeter (1799-1858), depicting Burgdorf types, c. 1830, Burgdorf, RS-11.367
49 Image: Portrait of Katharina Bürki – Bürki from Bleiken near Oberdiessbach (1706-1775), in early Bernese costume, ca. 1726, RS-11.2538
50 Black and white photos: rural life, rural activities from Emmental, around 1900 ?, RS-39.48
51 Watercolour drawing: Portrait of the street sweeper Mathys in Burgdorf, drawn and painted by the Burgdorf stonemason Rud. Samuel Gammeter (1799-1858), c. 1830, Burgdorf, RS-11.93
52 Image: Portrait of Elisabeth Kupferschmid-Steinegger of Zofingen (1709-1758), wife of the Burgdorf bookbinder Johann Jakob Kupferschmid, c. 1750, Zofingen, RS-36.35
53 Pistol for “Käpsli”, with ornate brass fittings, undetermined date, origin unknown, RS-2.995
54 Tobacco pipe, status symbol of the royal court; Bamum, Cameroon, West Africa; Deposit of Arnold Kordt 1922, ES-7315
55 Image: Portrait of Robert (son) Roller-Maisch (1832 – 1898), architect in Burgdorf, painted by Friedrich Walthard, sign. 1858, Bern, RS-11.3053
56 Image: Portrait of Josefine Roller-Maisch (1834 – 1870), wife of the Burgdorf architect Robert Roller Sohn, painted by Friedrich Walthard, 1858, Bern, RS-11.3054
57 Image: Portrait of Johann Heinrich Otth (1727 – 1813), Schultheiss in Burgdorf 1767-1773, painted by Tiberius Wocher, 1780, Basel, RS-11.2953
58 Image: Portrait of the gunsmith Rudolf Dysli (1705-1764) of Burgdorf, c. 1760, Burgdorf, RS-11.109
59, 60 Black and white photos: rural life, rural activities from Emmental, around 1900 ?, RS-39.48
61 Demon mask; Oaxaca, Mexico, Central America; gift from Eléonore Sennwald 2003, ES-20822
62 Demon mask; Oaxaca, Mexico, Central America; gift from Eléonore Sennwald 2003, ES-20824
63 Wooden tailor’s dummy ,with metal handle as hat holder, undetermined date, origin unknown, RS-0.5457
63 Two-storey birdcage of wood and iron wire, 18th century, Burgdorf, RS-13.414
63 Wooden birdcage, painted with flowers, in the shape of a cottage, early 19th century, Bigenthal, RS-13.234
63 Foldable birdcage made of wood and willow rods, late 18th, early 19th century, Lützelflüh, RS-13.355
64 Railway lamp made of sheet copper with round glasses, 1939, Hasle bei Burgdorf, RS-22.175
64 Railway lamp SBB with colourless front glass and red/white painting on the sides, 1920 um, Hasle bei Burgdorf, RS-22.180
64 Lantern with wooden, turned frame, undetermined date, Burgdorf, RS-3.247
64 Metal railway lamp, with red front glass, 1900 um, Hasle bei Burgdorf, RS-22.194
64 Visiting lantern of brass, probably from the property of Albert Bitzius, 1830s / 1840s, Lützelflüh, RS-3.195
64 Large aisle lantern of light grey painted sheet metal, 1870s, Burgdorf, RS-3.376
64 Large brass ship’s lamp, with round glass insert, undetermined date, Hasle bei Burgdorf, RS-23.325
64 Round pit lamp, with lid for filling the oil, Neuchâtel, 1905 um, Hasle bei Burgdorf, RS-22.274
64 Brass hand lantern, with blue glass, undetermined date, Hasle bei Burgdorf, RS-22.291
64 Hand lantern of sheet metal, with blackout device, undetermined date, Hasle bei Burgdorf, RS-22.389
64 Lantern with hexagonal base plate, all sides glazed, undetermined date, Hasle bei Burgdorf, RS-24.4
64 Tin storm lantern with green base and red roof (used in the city of Bern), 1920 um, Hasle bei Burgdorf, RS-23.36
64 Black lantern for candle lighting, undetermined date, Hasle bei Burgdorf, RS-25.157
64 Brass car lantern with fixed handle, 1910 um, Hasle bei Burgdorf, RS-22.293
64 Hand lantern of sheet metal, with blue tinted glasses, undetermined date, Hasle bei Burgdorf, RS-22.306
64 Square hand lantern of sheet copper, undetermined date, Hasle bei Burgdorf, RS-22.391
64 Lamp with normal light effect towards the front, with yellow light towards the top, undetermined date, Hasle bei Burgdorf, RS-25.340
64 Lamp with orange light on top, white light in front (possibly mountaineer’s lamp?), undetermined date, Burgdorf, RS-25.432
64 Railway signal lamp / hand lamp, the red front glass is secured with a brass cross, 1890 um, Hasle bei Burgdorf, RS-22.195
64 Storm lantern with petrol burner and dark red glass, undetermined date, Hasle bei Burgdorf, RS-23.29
64 Tin hand lantern with candlestick, undetermined date, Hasle bei Burgdorf, RS-22.303
64 Construction lantern with petrol burner and yellow glass (in use in the canton of Bern), undetermined date, Hasle bei Burgdorf, RS-23.27
64 Hand lantern of wood, with movable handle, undetermined date, Hasle bei Burgdorf, RS-22.296
64 Round ship’s lantern with blue glass in the shape of a bottle, undetermined date, Hasle bei Burgdorf, RS-22.380
64 Railway hand lamp of sheet copper, with different coloured glass inserts, c. 1900, Hasle bei Burgdorf, RS-22.182
64 Railway hand lamp SBB, red front glass to pull out, side glasses green, around 1890, Hasle bei Burgdorf, RS-22.190
64 Storm lantern with petrol burner and blue glass (darkening), undetermined date, Hasle bei Burgdorf, RS-23.25
64 Round sheet metal military hand lamp, undetermined date, Hasle bei Burgdorf, RS-22.308
64 Lamp from the steamboat “Schiller” on Lake Lucerne, in bottle form of red glass, c. 1850, Hasle bei Burgdorf, RS-22.311
64 Square tin hand lantern, with candle, undetermined date, Hasle bei Burgdorf, RS-22.372
64 Blue storm lantern with paraffin burner (Dietz, Made in Hong Kong), 20th century, Hasle bei Burgdorf, RS-23.37
64 Blackened sheet metal lantern, the side parts have perforated patterns, possibly from the 18th century, Burgdorf, RS-3.746
64 Military blackout lamp, with dark blue tinted lenses, undetermined date, Hasle bei Burgdorf, RS-22.307
64 Railway lamp SBB of green painted metal, white front glass, around 1920, Hasle bei Burgdorf, RS-22.183
64 Ship’s lamp of green/red painted metal with movable handle, c. 1915, Hasle bei Burgdorf, RS-22.187
64 Ship’s lamp in round bottle form with wire grid, undetermined date, Hasle bei Burgdorf, RS-22.312
64 Post lamp of yellow-painted sheet metal with round, brownish glasses, c. 1905, Hasle bei Burgdorf, RS-22.188
64 Inn lantern, green painted tin housing, comes from an inn in Alchenstorf, around 1840, Alchenstorf, RS-3.984
65 Common buzzard (taxidermy)
66 Pheasant (taxidermy)

 

This information has been machine translated. In case of doubt, the German version is valid. We apologise for any errors and are grateful for your feedback.

Legend of inventory numbers:
ES = Burgdorf Ethnological Collection
HGM = Swiss Gold Room Collection
RS = Historical Collection of the Knights’ Hall Association
SIO = Im Obersteg Collection (belongs to ES)