With this special exhibition, the City Museum is dedicating a comprehensive exhibition to one of the most influential designers of the 20th century. Through November 15, as part of World Design Capital Frankfurt RheinMain 2026 (WDC 2026), the City Museum will showcase the diversity of Dell’s work—from early silver pieces and innovative plastic designs to his “Kaiser Idell” series of lamps, which remain famous to this day.

Dell (1893–1974) is one of the most significant figures in German design history. After training as a silversmith in Hanau, he worked as a workshop master at the State Bauhaus in Weimar and later as head of the metalworking class at the Art School in Frankfurt am Main. There, he shaped a generation of designers and spearheaded a shift from handcrafted one-off pieces to high-quality mass-produced items. His designs combine artisanal precision with functional clarity and a keen interest in new materials.

Dell became particularly well-known for his lighting designs in the “Kaiser Idell” series, which are still considered icons of modern design today. Less well-known, however, is his role as a teacher, pioneer, and innovator of industrial design. The exhibition at the Stadtmuseum therefore explores the full scope of his work and features not only silver objects but also rare plastic works, ceramics, and numerous lamps. In addition to objects from the City History Collection of the Wiesbaden City Museum Foundation, the exhibition features significant national and international loans, including items from the Bauhaus Archive and the Bröhan Design Foundation in Berlin, the Bauhaus Dessau Foundation, and other renowned museums and private collections.

“Christian Dell never viewed design as an end in itself. His works demonstrate how good design can improve everyday life and become accessible to many people—an idea that remains relevant today and is also reflected in the theme of WDC 2026‘Design for Democracy. Atmospheres for a better life.’ At the same time, Dell was an international design figure and part of Wiesbaden’s city history who, until now, has been unjustly underappreciated. “As the City Museum, we are dedicating ourselves to this outstanding figure, whose life’s work continues to resonate far beyond the city and the region to this day, and we are delighted to be able to explore Christian Dell’s life and work within the framework of the World Design Capital Frankfurt and the Rhine-Main Region and make it visible to as many people as possible,” says Sabine Philipp, Director of the City Museum.

Dell’s connection to Wiesbaden was largely unknown until now. After living in Weimar, Frankfurt, Bavaria, and the Harz region, he returned here in 1940. After World War II, he opened the shop “Geräte [/] Kunst [/] Schmuck” on Goldgasse. In this way, the exhibition connects international design history with a previously little-known chapter of Wiesbaden’s city history.

“Christian Dell was far more than just the designer of the ‘Kaiser Idell’ lamp. As a silversmith, teacher, and designer of new materials, he shaped modernism. The exhibition showcases the full breadth of his work,” explains Dr. Vera Klewitz, curator of the exhibition.

The City Museum is open daily from Tuesday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Thursdays, it is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Admission to the permanent exhibition is free. Admission to the special exhibition costs six euros, or four euros with a discount.

The exhibition is a project within the framework of WDC 2026 and is accompanied by an extensive supporting program featuring guided tours, lectures, workshops, and discussion forums. These events will shed light on various facets of Dell’s work as well as its significance for design, craftsmanship, and everyday culture. WDC 2026 is supported by the State of Hesse, the City of Frankfurt am Main, and the Kulturfonds Frankfurt RheinMain.

A richly illustrated accompanying brochure (112 pages) is being published to coincide with the exhibition and is available at the Stadtmuseum for 14.80 euros. In addition, the comprehensive publication “arnoldsche ART PUBLISHERS, Stiftung Stadtmuseum Wiesbaden, Sabine Philipp (editor), Christian Dell” is being released. It comprises 280 pages, costs 48 euros, and has the ISBN 978-3-89790-758-4.