Werkzeugkasten, Gerät, Werkzeug

In 16th century Kunstkammer, tools occupy a special position between functional and decorative forms. Far beyond their practical usability, they served as evidence of original functionality and testified to the pedagogical aspect of instruction in a craft. This toolbox comes from Archduke Ferdinand II's Kunstkammer and was kept in the seventh showcase ("darinnen allerlei eisenwerch"/ "all kinds of ironwork inside"), where it is described as "A viereggetes gannzes Eisen, Darynn dergleichen auch feilen Porer unnd Sagen".The toolbox impresses with its simple design and sophisticated functions. In addition, the universal instrument is in no way inferior to today's modern multi-tools. It consists of a cuboid box with a lid that can be opened on both sides and closed with a hook. Inside there are two knives, a saw, a drill and two files. The lower part is divided into three compartments, which originally contained writing utensils. It could also be used to store tinder and flints, which could be used to light fires on the files forged from hardened iron. Comparable tools, albeit much more elaborately decorated with etching, come from the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen in Dresden.