Movable Heritage
Articles
HANDSTEIN – A MINING WORK OF ART
2026-02-26
A handstein – a stone a miner could lift with one hand, yet whose value often exceeded that of an ordinary mineral. From the mines of Jáchymov in the 16th century emerged remarkable works of art that combined the raw beauty of ore with the precision of goldsmiths’ craftsmanship and became highlights of aristocratic cabinets of curiosities.
THE JÁCHYMOV PLAYING CARDS FROM THE EARLY 16TH CENTURY
2026-02-26
Two complete sets of early 16th-century playing cards represent an extraordinary find of European significance. No comparable collection exists even in the holdings of the National Museum. Accidentally discovered during the restoration of historic books, mysteriously lost in modern times.
