The Bone Church

One of the signature aspects of our collections is our use of ordinary materials in extraordinary ways, transforming everyday objects like safety pins and rivets into elaborate embellishments. But there are some people, or places, that push this transformation to a different level. Today I wanted to show you the stunning re-invention of a material we all posses: bones.

Located in the Czech Republic, the Sedlec Ossuary is a stunning display of human ingenuity and a beautiful transformation of materials when faced with extraordinary circumstances. During the 11th Century the ground surrounding the church was sprinkled with earth from the Holy Land of Jerusalem, and the grounds of the church soon became a hallowed place where people desired to be buried. During the Black Death of the 14th Century, people flocked to the church to worship and to be buried. With a multitude of bodies and nowhere to put them, the monks were forced to come up with a creative solution.

What has emerged from these dire circumstances is a location that is beyond words and, while macabre, holds an inextinguishable beauty. The remains of over 40,000 people have been used to create elaborate chandeliers, coats of arms and elaborate wall coverings that defy convention. What a beautiful and unusual use of material, and what a stunning and intense place to visit.