The Handing Over of the Pomeranian Cabinet

The small image is a unique witness to the history of the piece of furniture it depicts. The cabinet stands on a table in the middle ground, presented by the Augsburg art dealer Philipp Hainhofer (1578–1647) who designed it and oversaw its production. He turns towards his patron, Duke Philip II of Pomerania (r. 1606–1618). The group of men to the right holds particular interest for art historians. These are the craftsmen who each had a hand in creating the cabinet. The Pommersche Kunstschrank (Pomeranian Art Cabinet) belongs to a group of exclusive collector’s furniture created in Augsburg around 1600. It consisted of an oak cabinet with rich silver fittings, numerous drawers, secret compartments, and a music box. The 136 cm high cabinet was destroyed during the Second World War, but a large portion of its contents have survived.