The famous "Historisches Grunes Gewoelbe" returns to the residential palace for the first time after 60 years in September 2006. The beautifully illustrated catalogue takes the reader on a fascinating tour through this unique "Gesamtkunstwerk". The "Grunes Gewoelbe" was founded in 1550 by Elector August of Saxony as the state treasury, "Geheime Verwahrung." Augustus the Strong converted it into a publicly accessible Schatzkunst museum in 1729. His idea was unrivalled: the eight display rooms with their exquisite interiors and the highly impressive mise en scene of the collection were designed to inspire amazement. The extravagant profusion of precious objects in gold, silver, enamel and precious stones, the ivories, bronzes and jewellery proclaimed the wealth and artistic taste of the Saxon dynasty. In 1942 the collection was closed and taken into storage at Koenigstein fortress. The museum's exterior and three of the eight rooms were severely damaged during the war. From 1974 a part of the collection could be seen again, but it was not until 2004 when the "Neues Grunes Gewoelbe" was reopened with exhibits from the Renaissance to Neo-Classicism. The book introduces the masterpieces of this fascinating collection and provides an insight into the brilliant concept of the museum's founder, from which the inspiration for this presentation has been drawn.

Open to the public since September 2004, the "Neues Grunes Gewoelbe" presents 1068 outstanding works of treasury art from the important and old collection. This guide not only leads through one of Germany's most important museums, but also gives a comprehensive insight into a grand part of European art history. The most important exhibits, such as the works of Wenzel Jamnitzer, the "Filigree Ivory Frigate" of Jacob Zeller, and Permoser's and Dinglinger's masterworks, are introduced at length. At the same time the guide is a scholarly handbook in which the latest research on one of the most famous treasury museums in the world is presented in a concise and readily accessible style.