An exhibition on the collection and history of the Society for Jewish Folklore in Hamburg
Concept and texts: Jana Caroline Reimer (Curator & Provenance Researcher for Nazi-looted Art at MARKK) and Dr Anna Menny (Research Associate & Project Manager for the Key Documents Edition (IGdJ)). Technical implementation: Helena Geibel (IGdJ).
The online exhibition “Object History(ies)” linked here was conceived and implemented jointly by the Provenance Research on Nazi-Looted Art at MARKK and the Key Documents Platform of the Institute for the History of German Jews (IGdJ) in Hamburg. It focuses on the collection of the Hamburg Society for Jewish Folklore, of whose originally extensive holdings nine objects are now preserved at MARKK. Founded in Hamburg in 1896, the Society remained active until 1938, facing steadily increasing pressure in the final years of its existence. From 1913 onwards, its collections were on loan to what was then the Museum of Ethnology (now MARKK), until they were returned to the Society in 1937 as a result of political pressure. The exhibition highlights the history of the Society and its collections, the objects remaining in Hamburg, and the emergence of Jewish ‘folklore’. In addition to the historical contexts, it also addresses questions of provenance and the transparent handling of Jewish cultural assets in the present day.
The online source edition “Hamburg Key Documents on German-Jewish History”, published by the IGdJ, uses selected sources to shed light on key aspects of Hamburg’s Jewish history from the early modern period to the present day. Hamburg serves as a lens through which to examine broader developments and issues in (transnational) German-Jewish history. The edition aims to help digitally reunite the city’s Jewish heritage—scattered across the globe due to persecution and migration—making it accessible and preserving it for future generations. The presentation of previously overlooked source material, as well as the innovative arrangement and presentation of known archival documents, provide food for thought and stimulate new questions. The accompanying online exhibitions have developed in recent years into a central pillar under the umbrella of the Key Documents Edition. They offer the opportunity to explore individual aspects or types of sources in greater depth.
A collaboration between the IGdJ and the MARKK – Museum am Rothenbaum. The provenance research on Nazi-looted art at the MARKK is funded by the German Centre for Lost Cultural Property.
