Cosmos and Materiality in Early Modern Prague

In the 17th century, Prague was a city of contrasts, with an imperial court, exotic goods, scientists, and artisans, as well as plagues, riots, and military attacks. It was also the setting for a complex and shifting spiritual world, which this book explores through a material approach. It shows how early modern men and women experienced this transformation on a daily basis, embedded in their natural environment and social relations.

Format: Hardback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 24 June 2021
Publisher: Oxford University Press

Prague in the seventeenth century was a vibrant city, known for its imperial court filled with exotic goods, scientists, and artisans, as well as facing plagues, riots, and devastating military attacks. However, Prague was also the backdrop for a complex and ever-changing spiritual world. At the beginning of the century, it was a multireligious city, but by 1700, it had become one of the most archetypal Catholic cities in Europe.

Through a material approach, Cosmos and Materiality explores how early modern men and women experienced this transformation on a daily basis. The book presents a bold alternative understanding of the history of early modern religion in Central Europe. Traditionally, the study of religion in the early modern period has been approached through a confessional lens, focusing on religious identity. However, this book demonstrates that Prague's spiritual worlds were deeply intertwined with its natural environment and social relations, rather than solely being defined by confessional identity.

While texts from this period trace emerging discourses around notions of religion, superstition, magic, and Catholic or Protestant identity, a material approach avoids categorizing everyday practices in these terms. Instead, it relies on a rich seam of material evidence, including spoons, glass beakers, and amulets, as well as traditional devotional objects like rosaries and garnet-encrusted crucifixes, to recover everyday beliefs, practices, and identities.

By examining these objects, researchers can gain a deeper understanding of how people in the seventeenth century interpreted their world and how their spiritual beliefs and practices shaped their daily lives. Cosmos and Materiality in Early Modern Prague offers a fresh perspective on the history of religion in Central Europe, challenging traditional narratives and illuminating the complex and multifaceted nature of early modern spirituality.

Weight: 546g
Dimension: 166 x 240 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780192898982