You’ve now entered the spectacular rooms of the “Festetage” – the piano nobile or principal floor. In the 18th century, August the Strong installed State Rooms resplendent with baroque finery on this floor. For more than two centuries, they remained virtually unchanged. Until bombing raids during the Second World War completely destroyed the interior fittings and furnishings. Only the remnants of the walls were left standing.
Now, the State Rooms have been rebuilt to look exactly as they did in the 18th century. Old plans, drawings and photographs helped, as did many original fittings and pieces of furniture that had been taken to safety before the bombing raids and have survived.
And now, we have an urgent request. Please don’t touch anything. You’ll notice that there are no barriers between our visitors’ route and the exhibits. Explore the beauty of the exhibition with your eyes – not with your hands. Our security system will let you know if you get too close to the exhibits.
If you hear this sound, please simply take a step back from the exhibit. Thank you.
Apart from the Historic Green Vault, the State Apartment is the only suite of rooms in the Residenzschloss, the royal residence, which has been completely reconstructed. The rooms’ architecture and interior design dovetail harmoniously. That’s especially obvious here in the Audience Chamber, the most important of all the rooms and glorious highlight of the piano nobile.
The wall hangings, the canopy of state with the audience chair, the silver furniture, ceiling paintings and the overdoors – all of great magnificence and immense value. August the Strong was certainly a big spender when it came to furnishing the Audience Chamber. He had no choice – it was essentially his calling card. He was Elector of Saxony and King of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth in personal union. On that basis, he aspired to a key role within Europe’s power structure—and the Audience Chamber was to give appropriate expression to that claim.
He didn’t spare the gold or the silver – that’s why this room had the most sumptuous appointments in the entire Dresden Palace. Just look at the canopy of state. Almost 60 kilogrammes or over 132 pounds of silver gilt were used for the elaborately sewn trim on the valance at the top, and on the canopy’s tester, as well as on the rear wall.
An example of the luxury furnishings in this room is provided by the two magnificent clocks. They originally belonged to Heinrich Count von Brühl, who served as Prime Minister in Saxony and Poland under August the Third. These timepieces were part of his estate. They are masterpieces of Parisian artisan craftwork, made, and incidentally signed personally, by the Paris cabinet-maker Jean-Pierre Latz. His work was highly valued by both August the Third and Count von Brühl, as well as by Frederick the Great of Prussia. The pieces are distinguished by exceptionally fine marquetry work in tortoiseshell and brass and the opulent and distinctly sculptural mounts made of gilded brass.
