Zespół średniowiecznych płytek posadzkowych z kościoła i klasztoru Dominikanów w Krakowie

Próba charakterystyki

Abstract

A SET OF MEDIEVAL FLOOR TILES FROM THE DOMINICAN CHURCH AND MONASTERY IN KRAKÓW. A TENTATIVE DESCRIPTION

The set of 13th century ceramic floor tiles found on the premises of the Dominican Church and Monastery in Kraków includes more than 400 pieces. They are mainly square tiles with side lengths of about 13–13.5 cm, mostly preserved in fragments, covered with relief decoration, inlaid, or blank. The text discusses the history of their discovery and the state of research, and then analyses the production technology and the types of decorative motifs used, comparing the tiles with analogous ones from other areas of Poland, Central Europe and Western Europe. Consequently, a hypothesis was put forward about the local origin of both the relief technology and inlay used in the production of the Kraków tiles, contrary to the findings of researchers who suggested the possibility of their import from France, Flanders, Italy or other countries. An attempt was also made to interpret the floral and figural decorative motifs found on the tiles, with the one theory linking them to the Dominican preaching. The article provides a starting point for in-depth iconographic analyses of 13th century flooring and for further research into the architectural decoration of medieval mendicant monasteries.