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Research

The Swiss National Museum holds a unique collection on the cultural history and the craftsmanship and artworks of Switzerland from its beginnings up to the present day. The Collection comprises more than 870,000 objects and is divided into 14 collection groups. The collections form the sources for and starting point of our research activities and exhibitions.

Ongoing projects

So-called documentary files with sources regarding the acquisition of collection items.

Provenance research

On the collections in the Swiss National Museum
X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy in the Bibliothèque de l’Arsenal, Paris (Bibliothèque nationale de France).

Textures of sacred scripture

Materials and techniques of sacred book ornamentation during the Western Middle Ages, 780-1300
Ink drawing of one of the silver vessels from the Wettingen silver hoard. The gods of the days of the week are engraved on its exterior and handle; partial gilding heightens the plasticity of the figures.

The hoard of Roman silver unearthed at Wettingen in 1633

Study of documentary drawings produced in 1642

Completed projects (selection)

Wearing slashed Renaissance attire, a young and a mature Swiss confederate face each other before an entrance portal in defence of Weesen's coat of arms and the town itself.

Cartoons for stained glass paintings from Amman to Füssli

Production of a catalogue featuring cartoons for stained glass paintings held in the Prints and Drawings collections of Zentralbibliothek Zürich, the ETH Zürich, the Kunsthaus Zürich and the Swiss National Museum
Fresco detail LM-11991.2

Wall paintings from the attic of the monastery church St Johann in Müstair

The detached wall paintings from the attic of the monastery church St Johann in Müstair in the collection of the Swiss National Museum – research and development of a conservation and restoration concept.
Three-dimensional models, rubbings, and sample imprints of engravings. Made of different materials: pewter, lead, copper, sheet iron, wire, and wood. From the workshop, kept in drawers of cabinets. 1869–1940.

Bossard Goldsmiths, Lucerne

Studio estate of Bossard Goldsmiths, Lucerne: the sorting, cleaning, registering, photographing, and inventorying of all objects.
Mrs. Sharma preparing the aging set up of the artificial corrosion experiment of model glass

CHANGE

Cultural Heritage Analysis for New Generations
Underside of a casket lid painted with an image of Lady Love aiming Cupid's arrow at a youth's bared chest.

Dating medieval caskets

Testing in the context of Inventory Updating
Ceramic pot, around 200 BC. On the shoulder, the inscription “Rupelos”, a Celtic name, in the Etruscan alphabet, from right to left. From grave 32 of the necropolis of Giubiasco (canton of Ticino).

The necropolis of Giubiasco (Canton of Ticino)

Complete and systematic processing of archaeological material
XRF analysis

Project Micmac_II

Microbes for the Archaeological Wood Conservation_II
Roman-era gold jewellery discovered in 1741.

The hoard of Roman gold from Lunnern (Canton of Zurich)

Analysing the hoard and interpreting its significance for cultural history