Call for Papers
Conference | Provenance Research Technical Cultural Assets | October 14–15, 2026 – Deutsches Optisches Museum, Jena

Trading, Collecting and Knowledge Transfer.
Scientific Instruments and Time Measuring Devices

In numerous museum collections, scientific instruments, and time measuring devices from past centuries are of particular importance. Since the 16th century cabinets of curiosities, these collections of artifacts have been highly sought after by collectors, bearing witness to important manufacturers, passionate collectors, groundbreaking discoveries, and scientists of the past. As important elements of intercultural knowledge exchange, they mirrored the status of scientific advancements and understanding. When used in studies, laboratories, scientific research, or expeditions, such objects changed owners, locations, and storage places at different times. Owing to their exceptional craftsmanship and accuracy, scientific instruments and time measuring devices were regarded as valuable objects considered worthy of investment. They moved within the international art market, and sparked desire in contexts of war, displacement, and confiscation.

The 5th Conference on Technical Cultural Assets, scheduled for October 14th to 15th, 2026, at the Deutsches Optisches Museum (D.O.M.) in Jena, will focus on fundamental research regarding the history of collecting and trading scientific instruments and time-measuring devices, along with the importance of these items as indicators of knowledge transfer. The conference will explore the historical interests in the use and the collection of such objects, various dealers’ and collectors’ circles, the spread and circulation of such objects on the art and auction markets, and the intercultural transfer of knowledge.

We particularly would welcome contributions addressing:
• methodological approaches of provenance research and case studies
• the use of archival materials and databases
• contexts of violence, dispossession, and collection in European colonialism
• injustice, lootings and dispossession during the Nazi regime
• dispossessions of cultural property in the Soviet Occupation Zone of Germany and in the German Democratic Republic
• contexts of war and displacement

Dealing with these contexts of injustice and dispossession, evaluating the objects, and implementing “just and fair solutions” are the main focuses of the conference. The term “Technical Cultural Assets” encompasses objects that were collected with a historical interest in technology or that have acquired historical significance in the fields of technology and science over time. This includes highly diverse groups of objects, last but not least, scientific instruments and time measuring devices, such as:

Scientific Instruments
• instruments for observing, measuring or recording astronomical data (telescopes, celestial globes, astrolabes, armillary spheres, telluriums, planetariums, meridian circles)
• optical instruments for magnification or analysis of light (microscopes, magnifying glasses and visual aids, telescopes, magnifying glasses, spectroscopes)
• navigation and surveying instruments and models (compasses, sextants, globes, theodolites, leveling instruments, Jacob’s staffs, quadrants, compasses)
• measuring instruments for determining physical quantities or substances (scales, thermometers, barometers, hygrometers, manometers, retorts, test tubes)
• medical and anatomical instruments (surgical instruments, stethoscopes, craniometers, endoscopes, anatomical specimens and models)

Time Measuring Devices
• water clocks, sand clocks, candle clocks, oil lamp clocks and incense stick clocks
• sundials, moondials and planetary clocks
• pendulum clocks, longcase clocks, wall clocks, tower clocks and pocket watches
• marine chronometers, quartz and atomic clocks

This also includes illustrations, graphics, photographs, descriptions, books, and other printed matter related to these objects in a collection context (e.g. depictions of technical processes and structures, operating instructions, product catalogs, manuals, other company publications). Speakers will each have 20 minutes of speaking time and 10 minutes of discussion time. The conference is planned as a hybrid event with presentations online and in person. Presentations and discussions will be held in English and German.

Please click here for the Call for papers. We would be delighted, if you could spread it among your colleagues.

The conference proceedings will be published in volume 5 of our book series “Technisches Kulturgut”  (Leseprobe).

We look forward to receiving your abstract (max. 300 words) and your short CV (max. 250 words). Please send both as a single PDF-document by May 18th, 2026 via email to:

Dr. Sören Groß, E-Mail: soeren.gross@deutsches-optisches-museum.de
Dr. des. Ron Hellfritzsch, E-Mail: ron.hellfritzsch@deutsches-optisches-museum.de.