Libri, artificialia, scientifica… The “Microcosm” of the Orlik Family from Łaziska in the Castle in Żywocice Dolne

Abstract

The aim of this article is to present the material framework of life of the noble Orlik family from Łaziska, owners of, among others, the Żywocice Dolne estate (Czech: Dolní Životice, German: Schönstein) near Opava, which was one of the so-called enclaves in Silesia. I first outline this family's history and the circumstances of their members' appearance in Czech lands. After a brief characterization of the source materials used in the research (mainly inventories of movable property from the castle in Żywocice Dolne), I reconstruct the interests of this nobility, both bibliophilic and in collecting other household and personal items. These movable assets, as my research shows, constituted an essential part of the microcosm created by the Orliks within the walls of the Żywocice Dolne castle. Their examination allows, on the one hand, to identify the personal preferences and needs of the representatives of the mentioned family, and on the other hand, makes it possible to find out how they used their property to manifest social status and prestige, and to what extent they imitated the lifestyle of wealthier social classes.