The winners of the 74th Hessian State Prize for German Arts and Crafts were announced at the opening of the Ambiente trade fair in Frankfurt. Organised by ECA member Bundesverband Kunsthandwerk, the prize recognises outstanding artistic expression and technical skill.
From 25 nominees, the jury selected four makers whose work brings traditional mastery into dialogue with contemporary practice.
First Prize went to Munich-based goldsmith Pura Ferreiro for her exceptional use of granulation. Her necklace Third-Millennium-Revival combines classical references with modern figures, crafted from 260 elements in gold and oxidised silver.
Second Prize was awarded to furniture maker Martin Wilmes for Round About, a cabinet in European maple and steel. With rotating elements and moveable drawers, the piece invites interaction and resists a fixed form.
Third Prize went to metalworker Günter Matten for FARO, a fireplace that balances safety with visual lightness. Clad in tombac tubes, the object can rotate to direct warmth and light within a space.
The Promotional Prize for young talent was awarded to Maurizio Paul Hirmer, one of the few feather artists working in Germany. His work adapts traditional knotting techniques to create wearable and sculptural pieces, offering a tactile and sustainable alternative to fast fashion.
photo: Bundesverband Kunsthandwerk
