II Hall Showcase
Latvian Bible, published in St.Petersburg in 1825. LžNM 270
In the early years of the 19th century, mostly thanks to the policy of religious tolerance, pursued by the Russian emperor Alexander I, non-Orthodox religious texts for the population of the Baltic governorates were printed in a considerable quantity. Large scale reprint of the Latvian Bible coincided with the liberation of serfs in the three Baltic governorates and became an unintentional tool for the rise of national self-awareness of Latvians. Young Latvian children usually were taught to read from the family Bible.
Title page of the Latvian Bible. Translation : BIBLIA, that is the Holy Book or the Sacred Words of God.
An epitaph plaque dedicated to the memory of the Lutheran parish priest of Limbaži Karl Christoph Neuenkirchen (served in 1840 - 1855). K.C.Neuenkirchen played an important role in the advancement of schools and was one of the social leaders of town. The church epitaphs (memorial plaques) are an old tradition and a form of religious art in the Western Christianity. The epitaph plaques usually were placed near church altars to remember worthy priests or parishioners and outstanding events in the history of parish of local community.
A fragment of epitaph with the image of symbol of the Eye of Providence, 18th./early 19th century. LžNM 27197
Chalice cloth or pall. LžNM 14636
A ritual object used in the Limbaži Lutheran church from the second half of 19th century till 1940s. Richly decorated altar cloths were part of the religious luxury permitted by Lutheran doctrine.
Chalice cloth or pall. Used in the Limbaži Lutheran church from the end of 19th century till the middle of 20th. LžNM 14637
A litograph of Theodor Gelhar - Kirche (church), with depiction of the Limbaži Lutheran church dated 1837. LžNM 27201
Theodor Gelhar was a town druggist of Limbaži who, during his university studies of pharmacology at Dorpat, had learned the art of graphic and painting. As many educated personalities of the 19th century, Gelhar desired to depict the most colorful scenes of his home town and vicinity. His little paintings are a rich source of information on the cultural environment and daily life in the 19th century Limbaži.
Vessel of alms made of painted tin. Used in the Limbaži Lutheran church from the early 19th till the middle of 20th century. LžNM 14645. Collection of tithes, alms and donations for the needs of ones denomination is an important activity for any faith. Lutheran places of worship make such collections by placing special vessels in a conspicious place.
Confirmation register of the Umurga Lutheran parish, 1834 - 1875. Written in German. LžNM 20114
During a Lutheran confirmation people receive full rights of parish members, after demonstratiom of required proof of devotion and knowledge of rituals. Together with the main parish register book the conformation register was one of the most important documents that proved origin and status of a person in the 19th century Baltics.