A lot of history in the palace that lies on the border-Stein Nurenberg, Germany, this. Not just a business story in the Faber-Castell writing instruments that are now at the age of 251 years. The castle also holds many art world, including from Java. This report Hafid Abdurahman Java Post reporter who had just returned from Germany.
Six images of puppets in a neat wooden frame on the wall. Indonesia adorn the old spelling of the pictures. There Semmar, Ardjoena, until Djaja-Sena. Sadap BBM character of the complete flavor of Java in a room in the Faber-Castell castle, now 109 years old.
At the corners of the room measuring 8 x 8 meters, it appears also some Javanese furniture. There is a cupboard with carved ornaments from Jepara. There are also two rattan wicker couch that is left broken. Meanwhile, in the middle of the room, there is a set of wooden tables and chairs, as well as Javanese. Decorated with a lot of stuff because that’s Java, the room is named Java Room.
“These items are a collection of my grandmother. Grandma I love art, including art items from Java, Indonesia,” said Count Anton Wolfgang von Faber-Castell, chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) Faber-Castell AG.
Men who like to play tennis and ski it says, the age of Javanese furniture is almost the same as Faber-Castell castle. It has been more than a century. “My grandmother got it in an exhibition in Paris, France, in the 1900s,” he said as he frowned.
Anton admitted to not know much history of ancient objects. But, he admired the beauty of ornamental carving on furniture that is considered exotic. “It’s hard to make it,” he said, looking at one at the family’s furniture collection.
Graduated from business school in Switzerland was so fond of Java Room. Only, there are things that he considers disturbing. In the room there are several others which are not antiquities of Java. Among them, a partition of Japan, jars from China, as well as decorative elephant of India.
“Therefore, I would like to complete a collection of objects in the Java Room with ancient objects to another. Let me in rhythm,” he said.
The arrival of Java Post to a castle that was built in 1903 was a series of International Media Trip initiated by Faber-Castell on July 15 to 17. Faber-Castell castle complex located in the factory located in the border city of Nurenberg and Stein.
With a three-story castle is located in the middle of a beautiful garden. Old trees shading the building work as an architect Theodor von Kramer who was so famous.
Inside the castle, is saved a lot of interesting ancient objects were observed. On the ground floor, there is an old-fashioned pencil is traditionally made in the 16th century. Pencil it in the form of graphite which is sandwiched between two wood.
Simple stationery is found in the restoration of a house in Germany in the 17th century. “This pencil is not produced Faber-Castell. But, this stuff is part of the history of pencil making,” said Heinz Sommer, a tour guide.
Faber-Castell castle was actually established since 1840. Only, the castle was built Baron Lothar von Faber’s still not perfect. Baron is the fourth generation in the business empire of Faber-Castell. He became the command’s stasionari company in 1839 until 1896. In 1903 “, 1906, the castle was built again until it is now.
Well, the construction of the castle is a milestone because it coincided with a change of company name. Initially, the company founded in 1761 it was named Faber. The name is the name of the famous Faber family as a great merchant in Germany.
In the fifth generation, the company led by Baron Wilhelm von Faber. The man who died before the age of 42 years had three children, two boys and a girl. Two sons later died at a young age. Therefore, the company passed to his daughter Baroness Ottilie von Faber.
Ottilie, who liked the artwork and then married Count Alexander zu Castell-Rudenhausen. Alexander also came from a powerful businessman. Marriage of two families merging the merchant’s impact on the company name. From the beginning Faber became Faber-Castell.
Marriage makes business expansion more widely Faber-Castell. The couple who built the castle that is tasteful and the arts.
There are classic French style living room, the library of the Renaissance, the door that contains elements of a typical Roman, and a nuanced gothic ballroom. Upstairs there is a hall for the ceremony and reception for guests of the nobility, politicians, and businessmen. Meanwhile, the room devoted to storing Java objects of art from the collection of Java Ottilie.
However, shortly Faber-Castell family lived in the castle so grand it is. When war broke out, they left the castle that they are proud of it in 1939. “This building was used as the headquarters of the German army,” said Heinz.
Several years later, the castle changed hands. Faber-Castell family building was used as the headquarters of the gathering of reporters. Not only journalists from Germany, the news from a number of state hunters also lived there.
From the castle’s news stories about World War II passed around. When the war ended, the castle did not immediately return to the owner. The castle was still a mess for the American people.
After becoming part of the history of war, abandoned castle. “Since 1953, this place is left empty for 30 years. Nothing meninggali,” said Heinz who claimed to have been to Indonesia.
Anton who became chairman and CEO of Faber-Castell since 1978 and thought to restore the castle. Prior to leading the company’s stasionari, Anton worked at another company. Shrewdness in business to make himself elected to the last holder of the command of the family firm.
Not only good in management, Anton also have the blood of art as its predecessor. Therefore, Anton who build many factories in many countries is also restoring the family castle.
Certainly not easy to restore the castle faces the legacy of his ancestors. It took him years. Moreover, should restore trinkets or objects of history that has been ravaged by war.
Books of the company name change to become Faber Faber-Castell, for example. Kingdom of Germany endorsed the book was found in the United States.
Persistence and patience Anton sweet fruit. Now the castle is back upright. Nearly all property owned by his family decorate the exotic buildings. For example, books in the library are now lined up neatly in the closet.
Antiques strewn also decorate the castle. One is a pencil painter Vincent van Gogh. Painter of Dutch origin sent a letter to friend and artistic mentor, Anthon van Rappard. In his letter in June 1883, the Van Gogh admired the Faber-Castell pencil which he uses to draw.
Sadap Blackberry 