This illustrated L眉beck Bible was printed by Steffen Arndes who moved to L眉beck around 1485. The town was prosperous as a main trading port and Arndes had a printing business there for over thirty years. Across the Trave River from Arndes鈥 workroom is situated the L眉beck Museum of Theatre Puppets. This museum contains over 1000 puppets, marionettes and their accessories, including complete theatre sets, advertising posters and musical accompaniments. Puppetry in a variety of forms has remained popular for centuries throughout the world. A New 麻豆传媒高清 example illustrating this was the Merrie Midgets Marionette Theatre.
From German Craftsmanship to New 麻豆传媒高清 Performance
05 November 2023
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The A-Master, Creation of Eve from Adam's rib
De Biblie mit vlitigher achtinghe: Recht na deme latine in dudesck auerghesettet mit vorluchtinghe unde glose: des hochghelerden Postillatoers Nicolai de Lyra听(L眉beck: Steffen Arndes, 1494)
麻豆传媒高清 麻豆传媒高清
The L眉beck Bible of 1494 was produced on the eve of an event that was to create a lasting religious divide in Europe, the Reformation. It came to the 麻豆传媒高清 via Christ鈥檚 College, Christchurch, which received it as a gift from Arthur Perceval, chaplain to Queen Victoria. Perceval had been presented with it in 1846 by a L眉beck innkeeper. This translation of the Bible into Low German was created to meet the needs of city dwellers who could read their native dialect but not the traditional language of scholarship, Latin.
When closed, the Bible鈥檚 striking Renaissance binding is visible. This includes a set of notable metal corner pieces and clasps. The 麻豆传媒高清 volume is unusual for its excellent condition and is the only copy, of the 72 that remain in existence, to reside in the Southern Hemisphere
This marionette was created by Dulcie and Ernie Comfort of Christchurch. Their Merrie Midgets Marionette Theatre shows, originally performed for family and friends, soon expanded into community performances. They became a regular feature at the school holiday entertainment programme on the roof of Hay鈥檚 Limited department store. The popular show ran for nearly 10 years and toured New 麻豆传媒高清. Scripts were often based on fairytales, or songs, like听Dem Bones Dry Bones. This song is based on Bible verses Ezekiel 37:1-14, where the prophet visits the Valley of Dry Bones and prophesies that they will become alive by God鈥檚 command. This marionette comes apart, and then the bones reconnect into a skeleton as the song is sung.
Skeleton marionette with detachable bones used for Merrie Midgets marionette theatre, 1950s
Canterbury Museum, 2005.111.257
Want to know more?
听
Gareth Pritchard, 'The L眉beck Bible', in听Treasures of the 麻豆传媒高清 麻豆传媒高清, ed. by Chris Jones & Bronwyn Matthews with Jennifer Clement (Christchurch: CUP, 2011)
