Rituals and Celebration
Part of the permanent exhibition of the Museum of Decorative Arts in Prague ART, LIFE. Art for Life
The new exposition of the Museum of Decorative Arts in Prague presents in six thematically divided halls a plastic image of European applied art from antiquity to 20th and 21st century design. More than 1300 objects from the UPM collection are on display. The exhibition shows how all the things around us enter human life and change it both functionally and symbolically. Applied art and design co-create lifestyles and models of human behaviour. Join us for a glimpse into one of the halls, a world of rituals and festivities.
8_A-071_095515_Oltarik_aMuseum of Decorative Arts In Prague
RITUALS
Hundreds of objects that have accompanied mankind through the centuries in rituals and festivals draw visitors into a magical world of symbols and impressive performances that were meant to lift ordinary mortals to God.
Liturgical clothing and textiles (paraments)
Orphrey cross on the so-called Broumov Chasuble is a testament to the superb artistry and craftsmanship of Bohemian needlework under the Luxembourg dynasty. The figure embroidery has a stylistic affinity with paintings from the period.
“Madonna of Olešnice”
Madonna in the French Gothic style was brought to the Czech lands by a member of Napoleon’s army. It was originally part of a small altar presented to a family in the town of Olešnice, who removed the statue from the altar and placed it in a niche on the house for protection.
Chalice – the Symbol of Sacrifice and Resurrection
The chalice is used in Christian liturgy for the sacrifice, consecration, and communion of wine.
A-314_006715_Vejir_Caesar_aMuseum of Decorative Arts In Prague
CELEBRATIONS
Religious festivals gave rise to secular ones, from folk festivals and carnivals, noble tournaments and games to national holidays and world exhibitions. Important family events were also celebrated. All these events were accompanied by a wealth of equipment.
Venetian Glass
In the 15th and 16th centuries, the most sophisticated glass in Europe was Venetian glass, which surpassed contemporary production in other areas both technologically and artistically. Venetian glass was both crystal clear and coloured and very malleable.
Daniel and Ignatz Preissler
Their workshop in Kunštát on the estate of the Kolowrat-Libštejn counts was one of the most important centres of Baroque glass painting. In addition to underpaintings, they also painted with the so-called schwarzlot - a lavier burnt paint with a mixture of lead.
Flamboyant court clothes
Baroque festivities would be unimaginable without expensive, showy clothing. This dress represents the final phase of the Baroque style, featuring a sack-back gown with a fitted bodice and a free-flowing back. The underskirt is widened at the hips and supported by side hoops.
Museum restorers preparing a dress for an exhibition.
Crystal glass carving
The attempt to imitate precious rock crystal with glass resulted in the discovery and perfection of crystal glass production in the last third of the 17th century. The hard and visually spectacular glass made possible the development of glass carving.
Delft Faience
The effort to imitate the expensive Chinese porcelain brought advances in the processing of ceramics, which led to their greater use in banquets and to a transformation of dining customs. The best imitators of porcelain were the workshops in Delft in the Netherlands.
Permanent exhibition ART, LIFE. Art for Life.
Supervision: Helena Koenigsmarková
Exhibition concept, specialized guidance: Radim Vondráček
Concept, curatorial expertise: curatorial team of the museum
Exhibition design: 20YY Designers, Petr Bosák, Robert Jansa, Tomáš Varga, Adam Macháček, Jakub Jansa
Photos: Gabriel Urbánek, Ondřej Kocourek
More photos on the museum's website
The museum is open Wednesday to Sunday 10 am - 6 pm, Tuesday 10 am - 8 pm, closed on Mondays.
Admission 350 CZK, reduced admission 180 CZK (students, seniors). Tickets can also be purchased online.
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