On Fire. The Volker Putz Lighter Collection

The mastery of fire was a key step in human cultural development. Lighters eventually evolved as everyday companions, in addition to their function, some of them in elaborate and appealing designs. The exhibition “On Fire: The Volker Putz Lighter Collection” at the MK&G looks at the over 2000-year history of firemaking based on the extensive private collection of the Hamburg entrepreneur Volker Putz. More than 300 lighters from all over the world will be on view, starting with simple fire strikers made of carbon steel dating as far back as the first century and progressing to electric lighters from the eighteenth century, all the way to modern flint lighters from the luxury brands Dunhill and Cartier. Also featured are rarities such as a lighter in a walking stick or in combination with a pocketknife or corkscrew. The focus is on the high-quality craftsmanship demonstrated by the makers and their workshops, where artisans used not only gold and silver but also Japanese and French lacquer art and enamel.