Insights into the History of the Collection

Trenkle Brothers

Werner Finck 14.9.1908 – 25.3.1990

The final entry on the roll of honour for the year 1960 is based on a donation from the Trenkle Brothers Lapidary Works in Freiburg. The merchant Werner Finck was the proprietor of this company, which has since ceased to exist. He was born on 14 September 1908 in Freiburg and lived alternately in Freiburg and Ebnet. On 22 May 1959, the renowned lapidary expert relocated to Arosa in Switzerland, finally moving there permanently on 30 November 1969. Werner Finck lived in Bad Ragaz, Switzerland from 22 April 1972 until his death.

Trenkle Donation

Werner Finck had loaned the museum an impressive collection of gemstones from all over the world on for a special exhibition. A total of 189 objects in the Finck Collection are listed in the files today. His donation in 1958 is described as the largest and most valuable since the First World War. Originally only intended as a loan, Finck eventually donated selected exhibits from his collection to the museum. This new addition was able to complete the existing mineral collection, which had suffered considerable losses due to relocation, storage and the Second World War. It was also thanks to him that the "Edelsteinkabinett" (Lapidary Cabinet) was established in memory of the historic and, up to the early 19th century, nationally important Freiburg lapidary trade. The complete selection of unworked and cut gemstones had a value of 10,000 DM at that time. As a token of gratitude, the name of Trenkle Brothers Lapidary Works was engraved on the commemorative roll of honour in 1960.