Envisaged as a didactic tool, the Musée d’Art et d’Histoire, at the time of its creation, gave pride of place to the applied arts, a vast domain with shifting boundaries where art and object meet for the enhancement of our everyday life.

It is therefore legitimate to celebrate, on the Centenary of the institution, Geneva’s expertise in this field which combines ornament, design and industry. From sewing machines to posters, watchmaking creations to interior design, all of these objects illustrate a heritage of Genevan identity whose reputation has often extended far beyond the gates of the city.