It is amazing how many of the poet's personal items have accumulated in the Prince's Little House, from a child's rocking chair, to a lock of hair from Annette von Droste-Hülshoff herself!
Annette von Droste-Hülshoff's writing implements and letters.
The space where this poet chose to write is especially striking, because so many of the objects from her time have been preserved. A desk stands in the state room in the Prince's Little House, now strewn with Annette von Droste-Hülshoff's writing implements and letters. It is easy to imagine her composing her works here.
Crafted with loving detail.
Annette von Droste-Hülshoff's varied talents are reflected in these skilled and original silhouettes. This art form was popular in the 18th and 19th centuries. Several pictures are on display in the Prince's Little House that the poet cut herself: poetic scenes of country life and hunts, with small figures and detailed wooded landscape. These astounding wonders are especially charming because of their attention to detail and skill level.
One frame holds two locks of the poet's hair. Her sister, Jenny, supposedly collected them while Annette lay on her deathbed. They are annotated with "Aunt Nette, May 24th, '48", a note added later by Hildegard and Hildegund. In the days when most people died at home, this was not an unusual practice; it was a keepsake of a beloved person.
A special treat for visitors to the Prince's Little House: locks of the poet's hair.
The child's rocking chair on the second floor was a present to Annette von Droste-Hülshoff from her parents on her 10th name day. In her time, in Catholic regions, name days were celebrated more often than birthdays. She took her little rocking chair with her whenever she moved!
