Collections

The Art and Ethnography Department collects paintings, sculptures, works of graphic art, antique coins, handicraft and folk products and other items related with the history of mining and mining culture, in particular items deriving from former underground chapels, collected gradually thanks to the ongoing penetration and stock-taking of the mine’s equipment. Former objects of worship stand out among them – numerous crucifixes, images of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Christ and Saints, especially the patron saints of miners, St. Kinga and St. Barbara. These are sculptures made of wood and salt, as well as paintings (e.g. Guardian Angel, 1691), wooden reliquaries and numerous elements of chapel decoration.

The collection of art includes the works of Polish painters, including J. Matejko, J. Mehoffer, F. Cynk, F. Olesiński and A. Długosz, the author of numerous depictions of miners and events in the history of the Cracow Saltworks. The collection of drawings and graphic works is extensive, featuring views of the mine (the oldest being from the 18^th century) and works of artists related with Wieliczka (W. Skoczylas, J. and T. Markowscy). A high level of goldsmithery is represented by works of artistic handicraft, among them the symbol of wealth of the old-Polish Saltworks – the horn of Wieliczka miners, donated in 1534 to the Brotherhood of Saltdiggers by Seweryn Boner. It is also necessary to list the large collections of mining uniforms and gala weaponry (17^th – 20^th century), including decorated axes, engraved ivory and wood and the so-called “barty”, as well as sabres and mining staffs.

Apart from specimens directly related with the history of the two municipal centres of Cracow Saltworks, i.e. Wieliczka and Bochnia, attention is also drawn by a collection of saltcellars, exhibited in the main room of the Saltworks Castle. This collection of over 400 specimens of Polish and foreign art (18^th – 20^th century) features saltcellars made of wood, silver, glass, porcelain and faience, as well as rare materials such as bone and quartz. The most interesting items are the porcelain saltcellars with figures of black women, which were produced in Meissen (J. F. Eberlein, 1741).

Research work:

The employees of the Art and Ethnography Department conduct research work in line with the profile of the collection. At the centre of scientific interest are mining art specimens and their authors. Within the scope of research on the history of the Wieliczka and Bochnia salt-bearing centre, attention is focused on local art and handicraft, as well as the architecture of Wieliczka and Bochnia. Subjects of research include:

•  “The Holy Cross Chapel in the Geramb Gallery in the Wieliczka Salt Mine”;
• “Saltworks Architecture of Wieliczka and Bochnia in the Period of Galician Autonomy”; 
•  “Residences and Houses of Saltworks Managers in Cracow”; 
•  “Rope Making Industry in Wieliczka”;
• “A Set of Historical Liturgical Fabrics in St. Clemens’ Church in Wieliczka”.

Personnel:

 MA Klementyna Ochniak-Dudek – department manager

 MA Marek Skubisz

 e-mail: dzialsztuki(at)muzeum.wieliczka.pl

 Tel. +48 (12) 289 16 17