Germanisches Nationalmuseum Nürnberg

I know I mentioned this earlier, but it warrants repeating: The GNM is by far the best museum I've visited to date. They have an extremely impressive medieval collection, allow photography, and are generally very visitor-friendly. For example, the extensive use of stand-alone displays (so you can walk around pieces and see the oft-neglected back sides), and, at least in one instance, a strategically-placed mirror when a stand-alone display wasn't an option. Other museums, particularly NYC's Met, should pay attention and follow suite (because, yes, I would like to see the back of that doublet you've pushed up the wall, thank you).

The bulk of my attention, as usual, was fixed on extant purses and artistic depictions of the same. If you're interested in that, I suggest you see this post in my medieval purse blog.

There was quite the extensive aquamanile collection, but I didn't take any photos of these. There was a room of them, and if you know me and museums, you know that as soon as I take a picture of one I have to move around the entire room taking pictures of all of them.


Some medieval candle pricks and a 12th century pyxis.
The arms and armour section was good, no doubt about it, but nothing mind-blowing. For mind-blowing, I'll need to go to Dresden and London. There were some pieces that caught my eye, particularly daggers. I do have a new blog for my martial interests, and there are some pictures here

Yes, yes, there are non-medieval things at the GNM too, including a nice collection of musical instruments. Here's my favorite, the walking stick violin:



Rebecca and I had to return to this museum on the second day of our visit, not only to "finish" seeing the museum, but also to re-visit some of our favorites. Unfortunately, the museum shop closed quite early on Sunday, so I didn't have a chance to peruse any of the medieval art books. Probably good for my wallet, but if/when I return I'm going to the shop first.

I have a lot of other images I could put up here, but they will have to wait. I think there were at least 400 pictures taken in this museum, and I still haven't gone through all of them.