Museo Nacional de Artes Decorativas facts for kids
| Museo Nacional de Artes Decorativas | |
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| Established | 1912 |
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| Location | Madrid, Spain |
The National Museum of Decorative Arts (its Spanish name is Museo Nacional de Artes Decorativas) is a fascinating museum in Madrid, Spain. You can find it on Montalbán Street, close to the famous Puerta de Alcalá and the beautiful Buen Retiro Park.
This museum is one of the oldest in Madrid. It's part of what people call the "Golden Triangle of Art," which includes other important museums. The museum shows how "decorative arts" have changed over many centuries. These arts include everyday items like furniture, pottery, glass, and textiles that are also works of art.
The museum has about 70,000 items in its collection. Many of these pieces are from the 1500s and 1600s. You can explore 62 different rooms inside a grand palace.
Contents
History of the Museum
The National Museum of Decorative Arts was created in 1912. It was first called the National Museum of Industrial Arts. The idea for the museum was to help artisans, manufacturers, and designers learn new skills. It was similar to famous museums like the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
The museum focused a lot on items from the 16th and 17th centuries. Over the years, it has worked with other countries. For example, in 1933, it invited Mexico to show its art there.
The Museum Building
The museum first opened in a building on Sacramento Street. It only had six rooms there. In 1932, the museum moved to its current home on Montalbán Street.
The building is a large 19th-century mansion. It was built in the 1880s for the Duchess of Santoña. In 1909, it became a school for teachers. The Spanish government bought the building in 1941. This allowed for some important updates and repairs.
In 1962, the building and its collections were declared a "Bien de Interés Cultural." This means it's a very important cultural site. The museum has 62 rooms spread out over five floors.
Exploring the Collections
The National Museum of Decorative Arts has many interesting collections. These include items from different cultures and artistic crafts. You can see ceramics, furniture, jewelry, textiles, and even art from Asia.
The museum has about 40,000 objects. Some of these pieces are loaned to other museums. The main focus is on Spanish decorative arts. However, you can also find items from other countries, especially ceramics and luxury goods that were imported a long time ago.
Some rooms in the museum are set up to look like scenes from the past. They use original furniture and other items. You can even see examples of 18th-century kitchens!
Furniture Collection
The museum has a great collection of furniture, especially from the 14th century onwards. Furniture from that early period is very rare. The collection of Gothic to Baroque furniture is considered the best in a Spanish public museum.
You can see many types of furniture, including writing desks, chairs, and other pieces.
Asian Art Collection
The Asian art collection features beautiful porcelain from China. Many pieces are from the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1912) dynasties. Some of these items were even made in China specifically for Spanish families and have their family symbols.
This collection also includes Chinese imperial robes, musical instruments, scroll paintings, and bronze statues.
Ceramics and Pottery
The ceramics section has about 4,000 pieces. These are made from clay, pottery, and porcelain. The oldest item is an 11th-century jar from Toledo.
You can see examples from famous Spanish pottery centers like Manises, Talavera de la Reina, and El Puente del Arzobispo. There are also pieces from important Spanish porcelain factories. The museum also displays ceramics from other famous European makers like Sèvres and Limoges.
Glass Collection
The glass collection is very large. It includes items from ancient Greece (4th century BC), the Roman Empire, and the Visigoths. You can also find unique glass pieces by famous artists like René Lalique.
Textiles and Fabrics
The textile collection includes clothing (both everyday and religious) and household items. You can see beautiful silk from 15th-century Granada. The collection covers items from the 2nd century up to today.
There are different types of fabrics like damask, velvet, and embroidery. These are used in items such as fans, purses, and dance cards. The museum also has very rare carpets from Cuenca and Alcaraz from the 15th to 17th centuries.
Metalware Collection
The metalware collection has a wide range of items. These include bracelets from the Sahara Desert, Moroccan brooches called fibulas, Turkish inkpots from the 18th and 19th centuries, and Korean cases.
Notable People
- Isabel de Ceballos-Escalera (1919-1990) was a director of the National Museum of Decorative Arts.
See also
In Spanish: Museo Nacional de Artes Decorativas para niños
