By extending the state vault of his "secret depository" in the west wing of Dresden's Residential Palace between 1723 and 1729, Augustus the Strong, Elector of Saxony and King of Poland, created a museum of treasures unrivalled both then and now. The eight display areas were designed to amaze visitors with their exquisite furnishings and an impressive presentation of the collection. The lavish wealth of precious objects made from gold, silver, enamel and gemstones; the ivory artefacts, bronzes and jewellery evidenced the affluence and artistic flair of the Saxon royal family. Following the museum's closure due to the war in 1942, since 2006 the treasures are being exhibited again in the ambience created especially for them. Even today, the perfect symbiosis of elaborate interior architecture and a high-quality, diverse collection is likely to make a stunning impact. This volume presents the masterpieces of the fascinating collection and provides insights into the museum founder's ingenious concept, on which today's presentation is based.

• A baroque synthesis of the arts
• A visual journey through time to the Baroque era

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