Charismatic objects : from Roman times to the Middle ages

Extraordinary objects, things that convey collective narratives as well as a record of conservation evoke extraordinary feelings. Both the physical characteristics of the objects and the myths surrounding them may increase their meaning, lending them an inherent power. The design, language of form, as well as the materials used are essential elements in creating the objects' charisma and in forming the stories that are told about them. The present volume explores the concept of charismatic objects and their material world through nine papers focusing on historical examples dating from the Roman Period to the late Middle Ages.