Zier & Zeichen: Was Männer schmückt
- Location:
- Württemberg State Museum, Schillerplatz 6, 70173 Stuttgart
- Date
Please check the individual dates in the calendar overview.
Large special exhibition at the Württemberg State Museum
Men also adorn themselves - and have done so for thousands of years. Whether crown, ring, watch, tattoo or belt buckle: jewelry tells stories of power, status, belonging and identity. Nevertheless, the phenomenon of men's jewelry has hardly been acknowledged in terms of cultural history.
From October 17, 2026, the Landesmuseum Württemberg is dedicating a major special exhibition to this fascinating topic for the first time, spanning from the Stone Age to the present day. On display will be the diversity of men's jewelry - from historical artefacts to artisanal objects and everyday items - enriched by educational and interactive elements. It is not just about pure adornment: What messages does jewelry convey? What meanings were attributed to jewelry elements? And how does men's jewelry relate to changing gender roles and masculinity?
Ten thematic chapters provide an exciting look at history and combine historical exhibits with contemporary perspectives: from body adornment and insignia of power to function-oriented jewelry and professions of faith to social conventions and their transgression.
The exhibition shows that jewelry is far more than mere adornment - it is a symbol that has shaped images of men for thousands of years.