Wax lambs, feather saints and bezoar stones: Spiritual economies of material exchange between Rome and New Spain (1570–1600)
FBK Aula Piccola
Fondazione Bruno Kessler - Polo delle Scienze Umane e sociali
This paper examines the exchange of a small repertoire of physical materials between Rome and New Spain through Jesuit networks at the end of the sixteenth century. We follow the circulation of wax Agnus Dei disks blessed by the pope; of feather paintings made by indigenous artists in New Spain; and of bezoar stones obtained by Jesuit priests in the New World for the European medical market. Focused on the Jesuit mission at Puebla, the paper examines how value was assigned to physical materials and how they were incorporated into processes of cross-cultural exchange. The paper suggests that the production of value in Christian objects was part of a broader system of colonial exchange that did not observe strict boundaries between the sacred and the profane.
PAUL NELLES | Carleton University, Ottawa
Cycle of seminars: “Tavola ovale di storia moderna”
Scientific coordination:
Massimo Rospocher (FBK-ISIG)
Sandra Toffolo (FBK-ISIG)
The initiative is valid for the purposes of the right/duty to fulfill the obligation of teachers to keep up to date as provided for in the current contractual agreements of the school sector.
The talk will be held in English.
The presentation will be in-person in the FBK Aula Piccola while seats last and online.
Registration by January 20, 2025 at 12:00 a.m. is required in order to arrange the connection.
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Image: Biblioteca FBK s-ar 2-B-04 [1]
Credits: Andrea Franceschini
Speakers
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Paul Nelles - SpeakerCarleton University, OttawaPaul Nelles is a cultural and intellectual historian of early modern Europe and Associate Professor of History at Carleton University, Ottawa. His research falls into two broad subject areas that occasionally intersect. The first lies at the intersection of the history of knowledge with the history of libraries, books, and writing practices. His second research area is in the history of religion with a focus on early modern Catholicism and the Society of Jesus. Recently his research has pursued topics related to mobility and movement in the early modern world. Most recently he is co-editor (with Dr Rosa Salzberg) of the volume 'Connected Mobilities: the Practice and Experience of Movement in the Early Modern World' (University of Amsterdam Press, 2023).
Registration
Registration to this event is mandatory.
Registration closed on 20/01/2025.
Deadline: January 20, 2025 at 12:00
Contacts
Organizers
The initiative was also realized thanks to the contribution of "Direzione generale Educazione, ricerca e istituti culturali" of the Ministry of Culture.