Permanent display titled "Me feit Solingen" unveiled at the Klingenmuseum
The German Blade Museum in Solingen, a city renowned for its centuries-old tradition of blade craftsmanship, has opened a new permanent exhibition titled "ME FECIT SOLINGEN - Blades: City: History". This marks the 120th anniversary of the museum's collection history and is the largest project the museum has undertaken since its reopening in 1991.
The exhibition showcases over 200 Solingen pieces from five centuries, offering visitors a deep dive into the development and significance of Solingen blade production from the Middle Ages to around 1700. The renowned Cologne exhibition office fact and fiction was hired for the scenographic implementation of the exhibition, ensuring a captivating and immersive experience.
Solingen's rise as a world-class blade city can be attributed to several key factors. Historically, the city's blade industry dates back several centuries, with skilled cutlers and blade smiths like Robert Klaas establishing their businesses in the 19th century, producing edged weapons with refined techniques and quality control.
Innovative blade technology also played a significant role. Solingen artisans pioneered steel forging and blade design that balanced hardness with flexibility, ensuring the durability and sharpness of their products. Iconic products like the Mercator K55K pocketknife originated in Solingen, featuring functional design elements and distinctive branding that helped spread the city’s reputation.
Global trade and influence were also crucial. Solingen blades were widely exported, with many swords for the Dutch East India Company being produced and shipped from Solingen via ports like Rotterdam. This further spread Solingen's reputation as a premier blade manufacturing center.
Today, companies such as WÜSTHOF and Böker continue the legacy by handcrafting knives in Solingen, maintaining the city’s image as the “City of Blades” known for precision and tradition in blade making.
The "ME FECIT SOLINGEN" exhibition is part of Solingen's anniversary celebrations, aiming to connect visitors with the city's centuries-old bladesmithing tradition. The "Friends of the German Blade Museum" e.V., celebrating its 70th anniversary, funded a significant portion of the new permanent exhibition.
The museum received additional funding from various sources, including the NRW Foundation, the Rhineland Regional Association, the city of Solingen, the Solingen City Savings Bank, the Rhineland Cultural Foundation, the Friends of the German Blade Museum Foundation, the Edda and Gerd Lux Foundation, and the Ulrike and Klaus Krebs Foundation.
The city of Solingen, Germany, is celebrating an anniversary year, and substantial funds from the federal government and other sponsors have already been earmarked for the further stages. The next phase, the children's exhibition "Dragon and Magic Sword", is set to open in April 2025, with the city of Solingen providing the necessary funds.
The "ME FECIT SOLINGEN" exhibition is the first step in a gradually implemented comprehensive renewal of the 30-year-old permanent exhibition of the Blade Museum. The museum's support association has funded numerous collection acquisitions, projects, and events in the past and continues to play a crucial role in preserving and showcasing Solingen's rich bladesmithing heritage.
The exhibition, "ME FECIT SOLINGEN," not only showcases the city's blade production history but also delves into Solingen's home-and-garden lifestyle, as the city's economics and reputation were built around the homegrown industry of blade craftsmanship. The renewed permanent exhibition, being the first step in a comprehensive renovation, is a testament to the city's continued dedication to preserving and celebrating its lifestyle and home-and-garden legacy in the Germany Blade Museum.
