Thanks to the support of the Airport, a unique amber cannon returns to Gdansk

An exceptional artifact of European amber craftsmanship has been successfully reacquired. The cannon is made of amber and gold and is adorned with precious stones. It was created around 1660 in Gdansk and, after centuries, is returning to the city of its origin. The object was purchased by means of the Museum of Gdansk’s own funds, a grant from the Ministry of Culture, and with the support of Gdansk Airport and the Totalizator Sportowy Foundation.

The exhibit arrived in Gdansk in April 2025. After conducting authentication tests and analyses by external experts, the Museum began the process of securing external funding. The purchase was finalized at the end of December 2025. The cannon can now be viewed as part of the permanent exhibition at the Amber Museum in Gdansk.

“The cannon is part of Gdansk’s heritage - its craftsmanship, traditions, and identity. At the same time, it fits into the long-term strategy of building Gdansk’s brand as the World Capital of Amber. Thanks to such objects, we can tell this story in a more compelling and complete way,” said Waldemar Ossowski, Director of the Museum of Gdansk.

The authorship of the cannon is attributed to Michael Schödelock, one of the most outstanding amber craftsmen of 17th-century Gdansk. From 1827 until 1999, the artifact was owned by the French branch of the Rothschild family, a well-known banking dynasty. During World War II, the work was looted by Nazi Germany, but after the war it was returned to its owners. In 2000, the object was sold at auction at Christie’s. Later offered again by Galerie Kugel in Paris, initially for € 950,000, it was ultimately sold to the Museum of Gdansk for € 650,000.