By BAYERN TOURISMUS Marketing GmbH
Freilichtmuseum Finsterau
God in a bottle or Arma Christi?
This ornamental bottle depicts an Arma Christi: Jesus Christ on the cross surrounded by the instruments of the passion ("arma"). Gold edging is painted on the outside of the bottle.
Trend with a glass dome
During the first half of the 19th century, particularly during the Biedermeier era in Vienna, wax works surrounded by cylindrical glass domes called bell jars became popular
Something special for the faithful
Mounted on a wooden pedestal, these representations depict Christmas scenes, or images of Mary, Christ, or other saints. It was often pilgrims that purchased these ornaments, as they wanted to take an image of grace from their pilgrimage site back home with them.
Exclusive images of saints?
But the glass domes that went over the scenes were expensive and fragile, and the wax, paper, and silk in the ornament was easily damaged by sunlight. Moreover, only monastery workshops or manufactories were able to produce these high-quality decorative items.
Similar crude versions of these bottle ornaments were made in homes in the Böhmerwald and other wooded mountains.
Precision work
Just like a ship in a bottle, the individual pieces that made up the religious scene had to be inserted into the bottle through the tight bottle neck, and then placed with a great deal of care.
Little material, big effect
Tiny pieces of wood and very little color were used to make the printed pictures. The bottle was closed with a cork.
Closing the bottle with a cork marks the intricate piece as complete.
Content: Freilichtmuseum Finsterau
Concept: Julia Herzig
Text: Dr. Martin Ortmeier, Judith Kestler
Photos: Konrad Obermeier, Dionys Asenkerschbaumer
Implementation: Gabriela Rauscher
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