“MINAI” CERAMICS FROM AZAK

Abstract

The article contains publications of the patterns of “Minai” Kachina ceramics, with overglazepolychromatic painting and gilding over white opaque enamel from the excavations of theGolden Horde Azak (XIII-XIV centuries). A total of 35 fragments of 21 vessels weredescribed; they are given in a small catalogue presented at the end of the article. Thefollowing issues were analyzed on the basis of the available material: the vessels’morphology, a piece, colour spectrum and ornamentation stylistics, chronology andquantitative data of the “Minai” finds from Azov. The analysis of the patterns testified that thisceramics is very rare and scanty for Azak; it is diverse in its stylistic peculiarities; itscirculation in Azak is limited by 1350 – 1360 years. In view of the aforesaid, M.G.Kramarovsky’s supposition of the Golden Horde manufacture of “Minai” ceramics is called inquestion. An opinion of the majority of researchers, which this article’s authors subscribe to, isthe most probable and consists in manufacture of this ceramics in Iran wherefrom it could bebrought a single time to Azak by a group of emigrants, or as war trophies, or as a result of thecommercial intercourse intensified for a short period of time.