In order to distinguish it from “great” art – architecture, sculpture and painting – art history has coined the term “small art” for the many forms of small-format sculptures and decorated objects. Accordingly, the State Collections of Antiquities used to be called the “Museum of Ancient Small Art”.

A visit to the Collections of Antiquities at Königsplatz shows that small art need not shy away from comparison with great art. Masterpieces of vase art, small-scale sculpture in bronze or terracotta, goldsmithing and stone carving or glassblowing are presented to the visitor in an educational way.