Departments and collections

Civil engineering interventions on historical buildings in Karlovac result in a continuous dislocation of various building structures or decorations which are then substituted by new ones. The collection comprises parts of construction (architectural) structures and specimens (i.e. parts) of street equipment: bricks, beams, metal street sings. The collection is also rendered topical by the demand for models and samples of historical technologies associated with contemporary life in historical buildings which are, in most cases, cultural monuments of the Republic of Croatia.

The collection is composed of technical items used to equip households or serving as personal accessories. In terms of household use, the collection consists of: lighting fixtures, gramophones, radios, irons, clocks, typewriters, sewing machines... In terms of personal use, the collection is composed of pocket and wrist watches, personal hygiene items, personal seals and writing tools.

The collection primarily consists of packaging (glass and paper) of industrial products from Karlovac. Also featured are related, frequently used items found in Karlovac. Although Karlovac is a city whose absolute and relative production power is relatively smaller than it used to be, the collection is topical precisely because of the current search for new products.

The collection is composed of complex holdings organized around the users or creators of the items, ranging from production equipment (tools) to products, business correspondence, and school report cards. The collection also features means of transport (velocipedes) and traditional crafts inventory (sub-collection of craft-guild): craft-guild chests and plates, and works of craftsmen.

With the exception of a wardrobe from 1622 and a set from the late 18th century, the material is predominantly from the 19th century, specifically from the Biedermeier and Historicism periods, with fewer pieces dating from the 20th century. Apart from a few exceptions, the furniture was mostly purchased from private sellers as the inventory of Karlovac households. Amongst the noteworthy examples of furniture is the furniture made by Johann Kraft (8 pieces).

The basis of this collection are large holdings of designs created by Jakov Šašel (1832 – 1903), a well-known gunsmith also famous for his altars (documented with 49 units), and by the construction company run by engineer Nikola Marić (1886 – 1915, 614 units). Historical plans of Karlovac date back to 1818 and 1863.

The collection is composed of items used throughout history to adorn the look and appearance of Karlovac citizenry: the oldest such item is a typical citizen’s dress from around 1880, while the boots of Ban Mažuranić given to the Museum by a member of the Mažuranić family and the cane of Mijo Krešić have memorial value. Hats, walking canes, folding fans, pendants, and memory books help complement the picture of fashion customs of the Karlovac citizenry. The collection mostly features 20th century items.

This collection is focused on commonly marginalized items (usually presented in the miscellaneous collection) such as table-cloths, doilies, figurines, souvenirs, toys, oleographs (pictures for mass production), often tacky (kitsch), but which actually provide good insight into the reality of historical settings. Among products made in Karlovac, those produced in the Dobrowsky carpet factory stand out.

The collection comprises tableware and cutlery, cookware and kitchen utensils. It is common to consider dishes to be an early indicator of the quality of life in households, and the increase of quality occurs in the period known as the “golden age” of the commercial prosperity of Karlovac. It coincides with the style periods of Biedermeier and Historicism. Quite expectedly, the countries of origin are mostly mid-European, and some examples are from the United Kingdom.

The collection of items from the educational system is marked by complex holdings connected with individual attendees and institutions. The collection contains pieces of classroom equipment, classroom tools and aids, students’ works, documentation on individual students, and school reports. The items date back to the 19th and 20th century.

The collection was established in 2014 with the donation from Josip Štimac, a traffic engineer who had retired the year before. During his 45-year service on the railway, he collected various small items, mostly after they were written-off from used inventory. The majority of the items were manufactured in railway workshops that produce all that is needed: tools, spare parts, office and waiting room furniture, publications, clothes, and simple signaling gear. They date back to both halves of the 20th century.