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One of the most beautiful books in Germany 2024
Religious art from four continents and across cultures – seeing and smelling the sacred
Holy Smoke
Censers Across Cultures
"Holy Smoke: Censers Across Cultures" investigates the practice of incense – the use of material objects to communicate with the divine – in religious context as it has been used in cultures worldwide across historical periods, religions, and cultures.
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The fragrant smoke of incense filling the air can be witnessed in any tradition, whether polytheistic or monotheistic, whether in the Ancient Near East, or Medieval Europe. Censers are ubiquitous among religious paraphernalia, and on a truly global scale. Focusing on case studies not only places the censer in a constellation of other religious artefacts, but also relocates the importance of rituals that have long been placed at the margins of the study of religion, art and ritual. Emerging from this, we hope, is a better grasp of the role of sensorial elements in the fostering of the devotional practices of world religions.
As a special feature, the publication is wrapped in carbon paper and thus highlights the book's contents. When unpacking, an individual and unique cover design is created for each copy.
As a special feature, the publication is wrapped in carbon paper and thus highlights the book's contents. When unpacking, an individual and unique cover design is created for each copy.
press commentaries
The book’s gorgeous visuals stoke curiosity about the variety and sophistication of censer design, from gods and nymphs to animals, utility objects, and weapons.
Hyperallergic
It is pure joy to leaf through the book, to marvel at it, to read into such an unknown and equally fascinating world. It is a work of unreason, splendid, unique, courageous. 'Holy Smoke' is the result of masterly craftsmanship.
Markus Klose, Member of the jury "Preis der Stiftung Buchkunst 2024"
Details
Ed. Beate Fricke
not available at the moment
released on 02/2025
Contributions by C. Brittenham, Béatrice Caseau, J. Elsner, N. Dennis, B. Fricke, M. Gaifman, M. Graves, K. Neumann, Y. Ning, K. Stern, A. Stielau
338 pages, 170 colour illustrations21.6 × 30.5 cm, hardcover
HIRMER PREMIUM
Linen binding, uncoated paper stock
As a special feature, the publication is wrapped in carbon paper and thus highlights the book's contents. When unpacking, an individual and unique cover design is created for each copy.
ISBN: 978-3-7774-3948-8
Keywords
Sacred art, rituals, fumigate
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