MUSEUM OF APPLIED ART 1950 - 2005 1950-2005 Museum of Applied Art 55 Years of the Museum of Applied Art The publication is issued on the occasion of the 55th Anniversary of the Museum 002 Contents Introduction 4 Ivanka Zorić, Museum director History of the Museum of Applied Art 1950-2005 6 Srdjan Rakonjac, archivist Department for Metal and Jewellery, with collections 29 Dušan Milovanović, museum adviser, D.M. Ivanka Zorić, senior curator, I. Z. Draginja Maskareli, curator, D.Ma. Department for Period Furniture and Wood, with collections 67 Marija Bujić, curator, M.B. Department for Costume and Textiles, with collections 97 Milena Vitković Žikić, museum adviser, M.V. Ž. Department for Book Illustration, Print Room and Photography, 123 with collections Jelena Perać, curator, J.P. Department for Ceramics, Porcelain and Glass, with collections 151 Milica Križanac, M.A, curator, M.K. Department for Contemporary Applied Art, with collections 177 Bojana Popović, M.A, senior curator, B.P. Marijana Petrović Raić, senior curator, M.P.R. Biljana Vukotić, senior curator, B.V. Department for Architecture and Town Planning, with collections 227 Ljiljana Miletić Abramović, M.A, museum adviser, LJ.M.A. Department for Education, with collection 245 Angelina Folgić Korjak, museum adviser, A.F.K. Department for Central Documentation 259 Srdjan Rakonjac, archivist, S.R. Department for Restoration and Conservation 265 Milan Andrić, wood conservator, M.A. Ivana Kalina Mitrović, metal conservator, I. K.M. Dubravka Bijelić, textile conservator, D.B. Department for Marketing and Public Relations 271 Milica Cukić, M.A, senior curator, M.C. Museum Library 277 Andrijana Ristić, curator-librarian, A.R. 003 Introduction In 1951, one year after the Museum was founded, book is the result of a collective effort by all the the first book on the Museum was published – the Museum's curators. only such book to date. Printed as a special The decree founding the Museum states edition entitled The Museum of Applied Art, it also that “…the task of the Museum of Applied Art is accompanied the Museum's very first exhibition. to contribute to the development of applied arts Following a short introduction on the founding of and crafts and to this end to collect, to preserve, the Museum and its work, the book mainly to study and to exhibit objects showing the focused on applied art itself as a field of activity development of applied arts and crafts from which up to that time had not been sufficiently earliest times up to the present day, and in promoted or studied, especially in our country. particular the achievements of mediaeval art”. For this and a number of other reasons, they have With this in mind, we can proudly state that, in included in that book a chapter entitled Survey of this relatively brief period of 55 years, the Muse- Applied Art in Serbia Through the Centuries written um has been successful in respecting and attain- by Mirjana Ćorović Ljubinković and Đorđe Mano ing these long-term objectives. Zisi. In the text they look at a wide spectrum of In its passage and growth through time, artistic crafts included in applied art: jewellery, the Museum has recorded its presence in a clear ceramics, textiles, embroidery, metalwork, wood- continuous progression where each new added work, stonework, and book illustration. The book layer represented a logical result of previous is completed by 16 black-and-white illustrations. positive achievements, but also an answer to the This year the Museum of Applied Art new developmental demands of applied art celebrates 55 years since its foundation and imposed by a new age. dedicates this second only publication on the …to collect – today the Museum has Museum to this important jubilee. more than 30, 000 objects in its holdings and it The book was inspired by a desire to owes a debt of gratitude to countless donors who- inform the general public about the Museum, first se gifts over the years have enriched and increa- of all through a selection of representative appli- sed its collections. ed art objects from the Museum's extensive and …to exhibit – up to now the Museum has valuable collections and through the high quality staged around 1,000 exhibitions and maintained illustrations that modern technology makes po- all the traditional manifestatins marking its ssible. In addition, the book's text gives impor- existence of several decades, which testifies to its tant information on the history of the Museum: firm foundations, but also to its ability to observe how it was born, its artistic profile, its history, the new trends and apply new experience. experts who left their mark on its work, its Through the large themed exhibitions collections, exhibitions, catalogues and other mounted by its curators or exhibitions of works publications, as well as its specialised work and by individual applied artists, and through activities which may be of general interest. This showings of foreign exhibitions in its galleries, 004 the Museum has inspired and motivated the sibility which lies on the shoulders of each new development of our own artists and applied art Museum’s generation to preserve and protect the researchers. treasures entrusted to it – the cultural heritage of Our permanent exhibitions showing a applied art. Not only the curators, but the Muse- wide variety of art objects have afforded the um's conservators play a great part here, as well general public an opportunity of familiarising as all other staff members. themselves with applied art among the Slavs, Finally, all that the Museum does is from the time they came to the Balkans down to directed to and recorded in the Central Documen- the present day, while the specialised exhibitions tation and is presented to the general public have given them a chance to learn about the through its public relations service which sends journey of European applied art from Gothic to out the kind of message that the Museum wishes Secession or to delve into the techniques of to present about itself as a highly competent, decorating period furniture. modern and dynamic institution, ready to take on …to study – the Museum carries out its all the challenges of our modern age, especially in obligation to publicise the results of its study of regard to museum practice, and the promotion, applied art through its very lively publishing advancement, affirmation and evaluation of activity. Among the many publications issued by applied art. the Museum pride of place is occupied by its The experience we have gained after our Journal and study catalogues which deal with journey of 55 years during the various phases of specific areas, topics or authors of applied art historical, cultural and economic development of exhibitions. These include: Serbian Printed Books our society demonstrates that we are a vibrant and Manuscripts, Jewellery in Serbia, City Costume of institution whose work, successes, and unfla- the 19th Century, 19th Century Serbian Photography, gging enthusiasm have contributed much to the Pirot kilims, Mirrors, Fashion in Belgrade 1918-1941, appreciation of applied art as a priceless cultural Silverware in 19th Century Serbia, Crosses, property on the artistic map of Serbia to the extent Contemporary Serbian Tapestries, Serbian Ceramics, that applied art has now rightly become a Clocks, Surrealist Photography, Dragutin Inkiostri respected “citizen” in the society of Serbian Medenjak, Dragoslav Stojanović Sip, and many culture. others. The most valuable editions published by The Museum remembers and wishes to the are Applied Art among the Serbs, volume 1, a thank all its friends and numerous associates, and work of capital importance, which came out in above all those whose efforts and work are woven 1977, and a phototype edition of the Belgrade into the fabric of this institution – called the Armorial II from the early 17th century, which was Museum of Applied Art. published this year. …to preserve – alongside these great Ivanka Zorić, Museum Director tasks and obligations is the enormous respon- 005 The History of the Museum of Applied Art 1950-2005 Our knowledge of history is never complete, nor This is the case with the Museum of can it be, for new things are continually being Applied Art in Belgrade. Since the middle of the discovered, which may cause important changes last century when it was founded, it has become a in what we already know about the past. For this witness to the cultural history of the Serbian reason, we can only interpret the culture of a people, especially in the field of applied arts and nation if we look at its development as something crafts. Throughout these years, the Museum has that is constantly being formed. In other words, demonstrated its gradual, steady influence on the we have to face a reality that is forever mutating, awareness of its visitors because everything in showing different faces from one moment to the our lives that is permanent and deeply mea- next. Our view of the past – whether this refers to ningful has been woven into the fabric of the celestial bodies, the Earth's crust, living beings or Museum over time and has left its mark. This may objects of applied arts and crafts – is a picture of be visible to a lesser or greater degree, but it is constant changes, which are of their very essence nonetheless specific and indelible. A nation may creative, and hence unpredictable. Unfortu- be more truly characterised by its art than by its nately, we are only able to perceive what is reality. There are works of art that subsume a rich immutable or what does not alter us, and this experience of life and when we look at them, we means an eternity of things which even time itself are examining the qualities of our own soul.