On the Role of external Factor in the Development of Artistic Bone carving in southern Rus’
Keywords:
Old Rus’, Old Russian Arts and Crafts, itinerant craftsmen, carved bone, zoomorphic decorationAbstract
The article deals with the role of cultural contacts in the development of artistic bone carving in Southern Rus’.
Artistic bone carving begins to practice in Southern Rus’ from the 10th cent. Fast flourishing of a carving craft in this period is largely due to external cultural contacts. Distribution of carved bone of Northern European appearance in Southern Rus’ could be explained with Northern priorities in the historical and cultural contacts in 10th cent. The activity of migrant artisans, who were transmitters of handicraft technology and artistic ideas was of particular importance.
In 11th—13th cent. in Southern Rus’ local traditions of processing of bone was formed. Nevertheless sometimes the spread of artistic images over a large area is detected. Pathways of their spread could be: copiing the same prototype by different masters, distribution of products of one workshop as part of a imports or as a result of migration of the master himself, creation of artistic images in limits of common tradition.
