Textiles & fashion collection

The collection spans the entire spectrum of textile techniques and functions. Highlights include woollen knitwear and wool and linen embroidery from the 13th to the 21st century. There is an important collection of textile archives and indiennes.

The focus is on women’s costume, but there is also an extensive collection of accessories, headgear and men’s waistcoats, as well as items of clothing from international couturiers that were made using Swiss textiles, and clothes from Swiss labels. 17th to 21st century.

The largest reference collection of Swiss traditional costumes, largely comprised of costumes collected by Julie Heierli, author of the definitive book on the subject, ‘Die Volkstrachten der Schweiz’ (Traditional costumes of Switzerland) (1922-1932).

Representative collection from the 15th to the 20th century of chasubles, copes, dalmatics, and Marian robes and veils, reflecting the acts of the Eucharist.

The collection boasts a wide assortment of valuable old flags. The foundation of the collection comprises the national and military flags kept for hundreds of years in armouries, churches and council chambers, as well as a number of flags once captured as booty.