Stories of hidden art (Decoration of medieval bells in Czech lands)

The publication "Stories of Hidden Art" discusses an little known sector of medieval art in Czech countries - decoration of bells. The most important aim of this book is to introduce this unusual and interesting topic to experts as well as the public. Using facts derived from research, this thesis is presented in essay form including pictures allowing the text to be easily read and understood. The topic is discussed in nine chapters, each of them with a story "told by the bell". The reader will gain a step-by-step understanding of the reasons and functions of the bell, its evolution, decoration and wider social-historical facts that mirror the bell's appearance. A large focus is put into international and interfield relationships; in case of the most expanded set of Czech bells' reliefs we can follow its origin back to its creation in the Austrian Judenburg, where we can also find many parallels in contemporary statuary and painting. Similar continuity is to be found comparing other reliefs, often of a very good quality, which can be a valuable method of challenging existing beliefs that the handcrafted arts are inferior to so called "high" art