Обкови на напрестолни евангелия - паметници на златарския център от района на Пловдив и Бачковския манастир
Precious Gospel Covers - Works from the Goldsmith Centre in The Region of Plovdiv and Bachkovo Monastery

Summary/Abstract: Eight precious Gospel covers with common typological characteristics and technology of execution are related to the production of the goldsmith centre in the region of Plovdiv and Bachkovo Monastery (its place has not been exactly determined even nowadays). They belong to the group of multi-structured Gospel precious covers and their decoration invariably includes central composition and different kind of frame (casted and embossed plaques, openwork elements or enamel bands with reach filigree ornamentations). Usually on the front cover is represented the scene Descent into Hell, and on the back side - Crucifixion of Christ and this interchange of the position of the two main themes in the iconographic program of the precious Gospel covers is one of the particularities of the group. Five of the works discussed in the article are made for Bachkovo Monastery, and the rest are related to the cultural history of Koprivshtitsa, Krichim and Samokov. The precious Gospel covers are divided into three main groups according to their characteristics. In the first two the examples are put together on the basis of the similarity in the arrangement and techniques of execution while the third group is formed on the basis of the fact that three of the works belong to the quite rare type of box bindings. In the presented precious Gospel covers one can see gradual deterioration of the execution and quality of the works as a whole with each decade. The deterioration of the goldsmith centre in the region of Plovdiv and Bachkovo Monastery made evident by the examples testifies a longer and overall process on the Balkans - the common tendency of disappearance of the mediaeval traditions at the end of 17th century and during 18th century.

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