History and Religion:

Catholic and Protestant Country Furniture

As part of the immediate living environment,historical furnishing provides information aboutpersonal and collective attitudes, status, and religiousbeliefs. In the area of present- day Austria, wheremembers of Protestant denominations have alwaysbeen a minority, the symbolism and painting of countryfurniture of the eighteenth and early nineteenthcentury predominantly mirrors Roman Catholic imagery.

In spite of the Counter- Reformation andthe several banishments of Protestant communitiesfrom the country, the new religion took root in thearchbishopric of Salzburg, which also included parts ofthe Tyrol and the right side of the Ziller valley. Herenineteenth century furniture reflects the Protestanttradition. This is expressed through a preference formotifs from the Old Testament and by keeping firmlyto Protestant imagery.

In the Pinzgau region in Salzburg during theeighteenth century, a regional style of unpaintedfurniture developed which also has characteristics of ahidden( crypto) Protestantism. Starting from the lackof any form of Catholic symbolism, different pictorialand religious impulses have been followed.

Lamb of God

Chest detail, with the coat of arms of the Bishopric of BrixenZiller Valley, Tyrol, dated 1774

Man and History