What kind of mysterious "animals" are depicted on some wall plates - even experts cannot yet understand.
This plate depicts a cavalryman - this is quite clear. It remains only to decipher the text in a circle. Photo: IGOR OREKHOV / kp.ru
Specialists of the enterprise "Balt SpetsArcheologiya", carrying out excavations on the shores of the Lower Lake (formerly Zamkovy Pond) in Kaliningrad, have already received so many ceramics at their disposal that it would be quite possible to make up a separate museum exposition telling about the life of the Konigsberg residents. And in it, a hefty section would be occupied by painted wall plates - apparently, an indispensable decoration for the interior of dwellings of townspeople in the 17-18 centuries.
Most likely this is also a rider. And maybe even with a spear. Photo: IGOR OREKHOV / kp.ru
“Moreover, in terms of time, the manufacturing technique for such products differs somewhat,” explains the work manager, Evgeny Kalashnikov. - In the 17th century, the drawing was scratched on raw clay even before the first firing. After that, the plate was glazed, and then a second firing followed. In the next century, technology changed. Now the plate was fired, then painted, glazed and sent back to firing. This is the so-called underglaze painting. Moreover, in this case, even before the drawing was applied, the product was covered with a thin layer of liquid light clay - engobe. This is to ensure that the glaze does not lose brightness during firing, while maintaining color saturation. In general, the then pottery masters constantly experimented, trying to improve the technology.
Another picture that is not in doubt: Calvary with the crucifixion of Christ. Photo: IGOR OREKHOV / kp.ru
What may surprise you is the manner in which the drawings are executed, which, if desired, can be described as graffiti, only not on the walls, but on plates. If the ornament itself is schematic, then in relation to figures, objects and persons, a quite definite tradition can be traced, close to primitivism, but with a fair amount of mythology. In any case, archaeologists cannot yet reliably establish who exactly is depicted on most of the discovered plates.
But who this mysterious stranger is is still difficult to say. Photo: IGOR OREKHOV / kp.ru
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This gallant barbel looks like Peter I, don't you think? Photo: IGOR OREKHOV / kp.ru
But a gentleman without a mustache, but also very impressive. Photo: IGOR OREKHOV / kp.ru
Another unknown, but, judging by the staff, keeps his way from afar. Photo: IGOR OREKHOV / kp.ru
Many plates are decorated with images of the sun in various forms. On this one, something like a brace. Photo: IGOR OREKHOV / kp.ru
And this is a cross between the sun and the star. Or a hybrid of them. Photo: IGOR OREKHOV / kp.ru
Either feathers, or rays. But they frame a clearly human face. Photo: IGOR OREKHOV / kp.ru
With a woman, everything is more or less clear. But what is this bird with the head of a man and the tail of a bull? Photo: IGOR OREKHOV / kp.ru
IGOR OREKHOV
