Museum of Decorative Arts, Strasbourg

The Museum of Decorative Art (Musée des Arts Décoratifs) in Strasbourg is located on the ground floor of the Rohan Palace, which used to be the city palace of the Prince-Bishops from the Rohan family. The museum is divided into two parts. One part showcases the beautiful rooms designed in late Baroque, Rococo, and Empire styles. The other part provides a comprehensive look at the artistic creations of Alsatian porcelain, as well as the work of skilled gold- and silversmiths from the years 1681 to 1870.

During World War II, the palace suffered significant damage due to bombings by English and American forces on August 11, 1944. Restoration efforts were undertaken to bring back the original appearance of the Prince-Bishops' chambers. This process continued until the 1990s, including the reconstruction of the interior furnishings.

The chambers are furnished in the traditional style of formal display rooms, featuring Gobelins tapestries, chinoiserie, wood carvings, murals, stucco decorations, and trompe-l'œil techniques. These elements showcase exceptional craftsmanship and artistic skill.

The rest of the collection focuses on the remarkable porcelain works created by the Strasbourg factory run by the brothers Paul and Johann Hannong. These brothers were also the founders and directors of the well-known Frankenthal Porcelain Factory. The museum also highlights the exquisite vermeil work produced by the master families of Imlin and Kirstein in Strasbourg.

Additionally, the museum features components of Strasbourg Cathedral's first astronomical clock, including the world's oldest automaton, which takes the form of a rooster.