Византийска сграфито керамика с монограми на Палеолозите

Byzantine sgraffito ceramics with monograms of the Palaiologoi

Abstract

Among the Late Byzantine sgraffito ceramics with monograms that are found across Bulgaria but also in a broader area, particular interest provoke the vessels with monograms of the Palaiologoi, which are engraved underglaze and occupy central place in the decoration scheme. The already proposed suggestions that the signs of the Byzantine ruling dynasty indicate ownership or represent marks of imperial pottery workshops have not been confirmed by the available data. The aforementioned bowls and cups most probably were products of trade, delivered by the Venetian and Genoese sailors, аnd the monograms have played a similar role as the names of different saints, that decorate samples of the same sgraffito pottery category (Elaborate Incised Ware) – to secure the blessing of the meal and to invoke divine protection.