Analysis of Analogies of Oriental Ornamentation in Russian Art of the XIV–XV Centuries

Abstract

In the XIV–XV centuries decorative art is being revived in Rus, based on pre-Mongol samples. The main support remained Byzantine samples, where lush floral patterns and Arabic calligraphy continued to be used. The masters observed new oriental ornaments from the rich arsenal collected in the Golden Horde. Despite the analogies with oriental ones, Russian ornaments retain their originality and find the closest analogies with each other. Own ornamentation system with new compositions of wicker and spiral ornaments was created. Similarity with the Eastern arabesque arises from the logic of ornamental development, striving for mobility. Russian art independently reacts to phenomena topical to the period. XIV–XV centuries – a period of experiments with various ornaments, some of them were rejected during the consolidation of Russian ornamentalism in the XVI century.

Keywords

• archaeology
• rus
• byzantium
• east
• golden horde
• ornament
• motif
• composition
• analogy