About the Book

This collaborative volume maps the trajectories of medieval religious objects, and especially those that survive in Scandinavia, from their initial production, through transformations, and through relocations over time.

Book Synopsis

Interconnected investigations between conservators, historians, heritage scientists and museum professionals centre on objects that were essential to medieval Christianity in Scandinavia (c. 1100‒1530). Through new and diverse physical data from polychrome sculptures, shrines, winged altarpieces and painted banners, the authors probe a range of issues and problems, from original devotional functions and changing appearances, to the impacts of changing liturgies, locations and priorities.
This book highlights the diversity of theoretical and practical approaches to sacred medieval religious objects, and brings together new findings related to the transformations of these objects since the Reformations.
Contributors are Karl Christian Alvestad, Alexandra Böhme, David Buti, Francesco Caruso, Aoife Daly, Tine Frøysaker, Elina Gertsman, Irka Hajdas, Poul Grinder Hansen, Karoline Kjesrud, Lena Liepe, Hana Lukasova, Maite Maguregui, Austin Nevin, Elena Platania, Anne Irene Riisøy, Katrine S. Scharffenberg, Jón Viðar Sigurðsson, Calin Constantin Steindal, Noëlle L.W. Streeton, Einar Uggerud, Anna Vila, and Jørgen Wadum.

About the Author

Noëlle L.W. Streeton, Ph.D., is Professor of Conservation at the University of Oslo. She is a conservator and materials historian of northern European paintings, polychrome sculpture and Nordic heritage. She is leader of the ERC-funded project, POLYCHROME (2024‒2029).
Tine Frøysaker, Ph.D., is Professor of Paintings Conservation at the University of Oslo. Over three decades, she has published widely on medieval church art in Norway, Harriet Backer's easel paintings and Edvard Munch's monumental canvas paintings in the Aula of the University of Oslo.
Peter Bjerregaard, Ph.D., Director of the Danish Museum for Science and Technology. He is an anthropologist, who has published widely on theoretical and practical themes related to museums and materiality.