Since 2017, the complete inventory (e.g. furniture, carpets, pictures, crockery and household appliances) has been recorded in Loki and Helmut Schmidt's home. The aim is to create a database in which you can look up where an object is located at any time and what its history and origin is. My colleagues and I do not differentiate whether something is very valuable or artistically significant, but record everything equally. You're probably asking yourself "What's the point?"
This question is important and deserves a good answer. Loki and Helmut Schmidt's house was their home for many decades. Many famous people came to visit, as well as family members and friends. There are some people who also worked there, such as the bodyguards, housekeepers and employees of Loki and Helmut Schmidt.
A collection of history and stories
Over time, the house has been filled with history and stories. It has constantly changed, the furniture has been rearranged, it has been renovated and remodelled. Objects, pictures and furniture have been added, brought along, given or given away. This house is something special, as Loki and Helmut Schmidt left their mark on it over many years. They left their mark on the house and created the special atmosphere that still exists today. Many objects tell their shared story. When you enter the house today, you embark on a journey through time - through the lives of these two people.
Let's start with the hallway: It was remodelled in 1974 and still exudes the charm of the period. Grass fibre wallpaper, a wardrobe made of lacquered wood, umbrella stands and pictures by Emil Nolde. In the corner, a small sign with the inscription "We are the Schmidts". A simple and unpretentious statement and yet characteristic of the down-to-earth Schmidts.
From there, the tour continues past paintings, pictures and sculptures by many artists into the living room. This radiates a cosy atmosphere. It is characterised by ceiling-high bookshelves and pictures on the walls, brown leather sofas in front of it and a brick fireplace. The leather sofas and armchairs are not bulky, but simple and elegant - typical of furniture by Danish designers and the 1960s.
The kitchen was installed in 1974. The ultra-modern fitted kitchen from SieMatic in "sunshine yellow" was considered space-saving, functional and without frills. Today, with a few exceptions, it is still in the same condition as when Loki and Helmut Schmidt were alive. It is easy to recognise: The house is like a time capsule.
Loki Schmidt's room
I would like to emphasise one room in particular: Loki Schmidt's room. There are many objects here that tell the story of her life.
At the top of the shelf is a souvenir from Venezuela. She was there in 1993 on one of her research trips. There are five wooden figures. These figures are attached to a wooden frame so that they can be moved. The figures wear devil masks and red clothing with a cross on their chest and they have musical instruments in their hands. Only the one in front carries a flag. The figures are a representation of the "Devils of Yare" (in Spanish "Diablos de Yare"). The figures play an important role in the Corpus Christi festival in San Fransisco de Yare, Venezuela. People dress up as these "devils" and dance through the streets to loud drum music. They make a pilgrimage to the church, where evil is transformed into good. This festival dates back to 1749 and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Unfortunately, it is not known whether Loki Schmidt attended the festival and therefore brought the souvenir with her.
Paintings by Hamburg artist Lars Wiggert hang in her room. The Schmidts granted him access to their house on Lake Brahmsee in 2007 so that he could work there. A number of paintings were created that show, among other things, the beautiful view of the lake. No wonder Loki Schmidt had this picture hung up.
Another special feature is a flat brown seed. It lies rather inconspicuously on the shelf. But Loki Schmidt is known to have been a botanist and undertook many expeditions that took her to different countries and regions of the world. This suggests that this is not just any old seed. Perhaps one of you knows where and from which plant the seed originated?
Fossils and fossils
There are fossils and fossilisations throughout the house, both of plants such as ferns and trees and of animals such as ammonites and fish. We have found around 24 fossils so far. One particularly beautiful piece is the imprint of a fossilised fish. Every bone is recognisable. The slab hangs at the entrance to the bar. It was a gift from Willy Brandt to Helmut Schmidt for his 60th birthday in 1978. We are excited to see how many more fossils we will find in the house.
Proof of love
Among the particularly personal finds during the inventory is an old wedding photo of Loki and Helmut Schmidt. It shows Loki Schmidt in a white dress with flowers in her hand and Helmut Schmidt next to her in his Wehrmacht uniform. This photo has been cast in synthetic resin. There are branches draped around the picture and two rings underneath. It was probably a gift for her golden wedding anniversary in 1992.
The inventory of the objects is necessary in order to preserve the house in its entirety and uniqueness, to record its history and make it accessible to the public. So far, we have recorded over 7,000 objects in two project stages and we are far from finished. There is still much to discover.
If you are curious, you can find out more about the house in our illustrated book "At home with Loki and Helmut Schmidt".
