With “Masks and Crowns. Court festival culture and representations of power”, a major chapter of European courtly festival culture is brought to life in the Residenzschloss Dresden. In the recreated and restored halls on the second floor – the Grand Ballroom and the Proposition Hall – the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden present a long-term exhibition featuring more than 400 exhibits from the Rüstkammer and other collections.
Task and challenge
The exceptional variety of materials represented in the exhibits placed high demands on display case construction, museum technology and preventive conservation. Sensitive works of art made from complex combinations of materials had to be securely protected, kept in stable conservation conditions and presented with maximum visual quality. The project therefore required display case solutions with high airtightness, active air circulation, air filtration, tested pollutant-free materials, anti-reflective glazing and precise LED museum lighting.
A particular challenge was the verified suitability of the materials and the completed display cases for sensitive museum objects. All materials used were tested according to the BEMMA scheme. In addition, the fully assembled display cases were also tested inside the display case volume to provide evidence of pollutant-free conditions. This ensured that not only individual materials, but also the completed display case as an overall museum system, met the required conservation standards.
The integration into the historic architecture of the reconstructed ceremonial rooms was equally demanding. The display cases and exhibition elements had to be technically sophisticated while remaining visually restrained, supporting the impact of both the interiors and the exhibits.
Solution and result
REIER was responsible for the design, manufacture and installation of extensive museum display cases and exhibition elements. For the Grand Ballroom, two large-scale, multi-element freestanding display case installations were created, as well as a monumental wall of paintings. For the Proposition Hall, REIER produced seven large freestanding display cases, a voluminous flat display case with two separate exhibition areas for flat textiles, a combination of plinth and display case featuring scenic architecture as well as bust pedestals, a media unit and other exhibition elements.
The custom-made REIER display cases combine conservation protection, security and outstanding viewing quality. Anti-reflective safety glass, active air circulation, filtration technology, integrated alarm contacts, precise locking systems and finely adjustable LED spotlights create stable conditions for valuable cultural assets while enabling a clear, brilliant and unobtrusive presentation.
As a German display case manufactory, REIER contributed its distinctive in-house manufacturing depth: from technical planning and engineering to glass processing, metalwork, wood construction, surface finishing, electrical engineering, assembly and on-site installation. The result is a tailor-made exhibition solution precisely aligned with the objects, the rooms, the design concept and the conservation requirements.
Sustainability and long-term operation
The exhibition is designed as a long-term presentation – and the display cases and exhibition elements were therefore developed for durability, maintainability and safe museum operation. Documented materials, accessible technical areas, detailed operating and care instructions, and robust constructions support a long service life. With proper care and regular maintenance, the display cases can remain in use for decades.
The comprehensive pollutant testing according to the BEMMA scheme, the testing of the fully assembled display cases, energy-efficient LED lighting, low-emission surfaces and active air filtration all contribute to reducing conservation risks and sustainably preserving these precious testimonies to courtly festival culture.
The project also follows the principles of sustainability beyond its period of use: the components used can be recycled at the end of the product life cycle. In this way, REIER combines durable display case technology with responsible use of materials and a resource-conscious perspective.
With this project, REIER demonstrates its expertise in sophisticated museum display case construction: precise museum technology and engineering excellence made in Germany, developed for sensitive exhibits, complex exhibition spaces and a presentation that convincingly combines protection, function and aesthetics.
