Silver Lining — 21st Silbertriennale International

Pforzheim Jewellery Museum — the world's leading jewellery museum

The Pforzheim Jewellery Museum in the Reuchlinhaus is one of the most important jewellery museums in the world. With over 2000 exhibits — from antiquity through the Middle Ages and the Renaissance to the present day — it documents 5000 years of jewellery culture. Pforzheim itself, as the “Goldstadt” (City of Gold), is a historic centre of the jewellery and watch industry, with Pforzheim University of Applied Sciences as a renowned jewellery design training institution. Since 1965, the Silbertriennale International has served as an international showcase for contemporary silversmithing.

21st Silbertriennale International — the central exhibition

The 21st Silbertriennale International is part of an international competition for silversmithing that has taken place every three years since 1965. Around 70 contemporary silver objects from around the world, submitted by silversmiths from all continents, are judged by a jury and presented at the Triennale. The range extends from classic tableware to jewellery, sculptures, and experimental conceptual works — offering insights into contemporary goldsmithing.

“Cool Brilliance” and “Afghanistan, Oman or Black Forest?”

The second exhibition, “Cool Brilliance”, features objects from the museum's own collection — combined with the Grossé Sterling line (a Pforzheim silversmithing tradition). The third exhibition, “Afghanistan, Oman or Black Forest?”, showcases silver treasures from ethnology and asks where our concept of “silver” actually comes from — a presentation that compares regional Swabian silver traditions with Afghan, Omani, and other cultural silver traditions.

Pforzheim — the Goldstadt

Pforzheim (independent city 08231, approx. 125,000 inhabitants) is located on the edge of the Northern Black Forest, at the confluence of the Enz and Würm rivers. The city has borne the name “Goldstadt” since the 19th century — a multitude of jewellery, watch, and precious metal companies have shaped its economic structure ever since. The Jewellery Museum, located in the Reuchlinhaus by the Stadtgarten (city park), is the city's most important tourist destination, alongside its Goldstadt identity.