Collection

The Swiss National Museum holds a unique collection on the cultural history and the craftsmanship and artworks of Switzerland from its beginnings up to the present day. The Collection comprises more than 860,000 objects and is divided into 14 collection groups. The collections form the sources for and starting point of our research activities and exhibitions.

Online Collection

Collection holdings

Archaeology

Finds from Switzerland, from the Palaeolithic Age to the early Middle Ages. Some of our finds are of international significance.

Precious & non-ferrous metals

Sacral and secular goldwork objects from the 12th to the 21st century.

Graphic arts, photographs, illuminated manuscripts & facsimiles

Drawings, graphic reproductions, illuminations & manuscripts, facsimiles, historic photographs

Ceramics & glass

Medieval ceramic vessels, along with vessels and dishes made and used in Switzerland, and figurines, sculptures and reliefs.

Carriages, sledges & wagons

Representative examples of various carriages, magnificent sledges from a number of different periods, and some typical agricultural wagons.

Painting & sculpture

Paintings with the emphasis on ecclesiastical and historical art, and works of portraiture. The world’s largest and most significant collection of stained glass.

Furniture & interiors

Every type of furniture that has been designed and/or produced in Switzerland. The largest public furniture collection in Switzerland.

Numismatics & seals

Coins, medals, banknotes, securities, credit cards and coin-minting dies. The most important collection of seals in Switzerland, and one of the largest in Europe.

Jewellery & timepieces

Jewellery from the 18th-21st centuries, representative cross-section of clockmaking over the last 500 years.

Special collections

Toys, musical instruments with a focus on military music, customs-related items, baking moulds, tin figures/casting moulds, and the Hallwil Collection.

Technology & traditions

Objects from everyday life and items for crafts and trades, workshop equipment, computers, electrical devices and means of communication, measuring instruments.

Textiles & fashion

Fabrics, clothing and accessories, traditional costumes, church paraments, flags.

Weaponry & uniforms

The most significant collection of weaponry in Switzerland, spanning the period from the High Middle Ages to the mid-20th century. Uniforms, headgear, equipment and insignia/decorations.

Witnesses to history

The collection charts the social, political, economic and cultural events that have shaped Switzerland from 1945 to the present day.

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