KMT 2018 nr 4 Download PDF

The symbolism of Eschatological Happiness in Goldsmithing. The Crosiers Example

Cite: , Symbolika szczęścia eschatologicznego w złotnictwie. Przykład pastorałów, "Kultura - Media - Teologia", 2018( 35) nr 4, s. 89-104.

DOI: 10.21697/kmt.35.6

The subject of the analysis is the symbolism of eschatological happiness in the insignia of ecclesiastical authority, on the example of crosiers. The starting point is the presentation of the object of re lection in terms of Christian theology, in accordance with the accepted thesis that the concept of eschatological happiness concerns the reality of paradise described in the book of Genesis and paradise, the achievement of which is the ultimate calling of man. While the irst paradise is rarely invoked as a type of future paradise (a unique example of the Erkanbald’s crosier in Hildesheim), symbolizing the future happiness of the saved is concerns very wide category itting virtually all motifs of crosiers decoration, because they all refer to the ultimate goal of man. Symbols drawn from the Apocalypse are most prominent, and their popularity luctuates re lecting changes in theology as well as in society and culture. Their selection is conditioned by the possibilities of reading the symbolism by the recipients (the faithful – the participants of the liturgy).

About authors

Katarzyna Bogacka

ORCID: 0000-0002-0149-4060