Guided tour led by Dr. Verena Wasmuth, Curator of Chandeliers and Lighting Fixtures, SPSG
At the end of the 17th century, the small island on the Havel River was home to the glass laboratory of the famous alchemist Johann Kunckel von Löwenstern (c. 1635–1703).
Image gallery
Johann Kunckel, Fragmente aus der Glasperlenproduktion, 1685–1688, farbiges Glas, Pfaueninsel, Kunckelkabinett in der Meierei, Dauerleihgabe des Museums für Vor- und Frühgeschichte
He had received the island as a gift from Elector Friedrich Wilhelm so that he could conduct his experiments there unobserved. In return, Kunckel was to produce the precious gold-ruby glass as well as elaborately decorated glass beads. The latter were used as barter goods in the slave and colonial trade.
From 1686 to 1689, Kunckel lived and conducted research on the island; only the Elector was permitted to visit him. The most significant result of his experiments was the development of various technologies for producing new glass colors and decorative patterns. Kunckel’s experiments in his secret laboratory—complete with a glassworks and a melting furnace—produced light and plumes of smoke visible from afar—thus giving rise to the legend that a wizard was at work on the island.
During the guided tour with Dr. Verena Wasmuth, which ends at the dairy on the east side of Peacock Island, participants search for traces of his activities.
IN GERMAN
