Floral motifs in the artistic decoration of Latvia's Old Believer manuscripts

ENThe article explores the most frequently encountered floral motifs used in Latvia's Old Believer manuscripts, focusing on the range of their interpretation and diversity in the local collections. Two of the most often used sources of inspiration for Latvia's Old Believer scribes have been chosen as the basis for origins and comparison of the used motifs, namely the ancient-printed and Pomorian style ornamentation. Considerable attention is devoted to analyzing the usage of the lily-like flower, the flame-like leaf and the rosette motifs, as well as to tracing the usage of vine and berry elements in Old Believer manuscript decorations. All in all, artistic design of Old Believer manuscripts in the context of usage of floral motifs shows laconic iconography, when compared to their prototypes - the ancient-printed and the Pomorian ornamentation. That said, in the confines of one element there is a wide range of interpretations which make the design of local manuscripts peculiar and attractive. [From the publication]