Deutsches Korbmuseum

About the museum

From the 17th and 18th centuries onwards, the Upper Main region developed into one of the most important basketry centres in Germany. What began as winter work for smallholders, fishermen and raftsmen became a guild craft; in 1770 a basket makers' guild was founded in Michelau, and the fine Michelau wickerwork went all over the world.

The foundation of the museum was a small collection of samples that served as models for a drawing class at the Lichtenfels basketry trade school. From 1929, master basket makers and specialist teachers, at the suggestion of the municipality, gathered further pieces; in October 1934 the Upper Franconian Basket Museum opened in the converted town hall, and it has been called the German Basket Museum since 1936. After being evacuated during the war, it reopened in 1949.

Since 1967 the museum has been housed in the Stölzel House, the residential, office and storage building of a Michelau basket trading firm, built from 1815 and extended several times, which the municipality acquired in 1959. Since 1988 the whole house has been used by the museum; in 2008/09 a new entrance area was added.

In 26 rooms covering about 850 square metres, the museum shows materials, tools and techniques of weaving, utility and art objects from all continents, and documents on the basket trade and basket industry. A support association has backed its work since 1973.

Highlights

• The smallest basket in the world, woven from willow splints
• Collection of woven prams
• Balloon basket and Japanese tea service made of wickerwork
• Designer furniture by Egon Eiermann and Marcel Breuer
• Room for fine Michelau wickerwork

Permanent exhibition

• Flechtkunst aus aller Welt – Around 2,000 objects in 26 rooms: materials, tools and techniques, forms of use from furniture to prams, and evidence of the basket trade and industry on the Upper Main.

Founded

1934

Admission & discounts

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Barrier-free access to the building, but the museum as a whole is not considered accessible. Seating available; assistance dogs welcome.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

Free family tour as a search game through the museum; offers for children such as holiday programmes, in summer the Museum Summer of the museums in the Obermain-Jura region.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Museum shop.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit