Byzantine inspiration in Serbian medieval pottery

Abstract

With the act of acquiring independence and in its further development, the Serbian state was continually linked to Byzantium, its heritage and achievements. Since long ago, at the level of a postulate, this statement was often taken as a point of departure in considering phenomena, besides all else, even in the applied arts which progressed dynamically in medieval Serbia from the middle of the 13th century. Among the circumstances that influenced the advances in manufacturing, certainly the most important was the accelerated economic growth driven by the exploitation of mines, the stratification of society, i.e. the formation of an aristocracy, the erection of fortified cities and of urban settlements, and the trade in luxurious objects.1 That special economic and social context which led to the formation of a multicultural environment was clearly expressed in the very products made by artisans. Although based on models from Byzantium, in their complexity they also reflected European Romanesque art, and the general tendencies of Mediterranean art. Given that every kind of utilitarian and decorative object expresses a different aesthetic and reflects a unique trademark, so ceramic dishware, primarily the specimens decorated in sgraffito technique most illustratively depicts the Byzantine tradition and an expression that is recognisable in the arts and crafts. This class of ceramics, at the same time functional and luxurious, apart from the art and craft aspect, also had different economic and social implications, and is therefore suitable for considering the overall dynamics of the society in a given period. For this reason, the intention is to examine the notion of inspiration, as highlighted in the title of this article, from several aspects and in the broader context. Singling out the features reflecting the Byzantine in ceramic vessels, elaborated on several occasions in earlier works by local researchers, will therefore serve as a sort of starting-point for considering particular questions in connection with the organisation of the pottery trade and the significance of sgraffito dishware in Serbian medieval society.