The Sacral Image of the Kosiv Painted Ceramics

The purpose of the article is to point out the sacral image content of thematic series of compositions within the painting palette of ornaments and plots in the Kosiv painted ceramics; to reflect the stages of the development of this genre in decoration with the Kosiv painted ceramics. The research methodology applies the method of comparative analysis of forms, decorating techniques and ware destination of the 19th – early 21st centuries. The scientific novelty. For the first time, the attempts are made to pay attention to the localization of the topical palette of painting in Kosiv painted ceramics in the context of sacral themes since this topic has not been thought of as a separate issue in art criticism. Attention has been focused on the features of the artistic painting of ceramic wares, depending on the destination and use of them in the liturgy of Orthodox or Catholic churches and in the home interior designs. Conclusions. It was revealed that sacred themes in the painted ceramics of the Kosiv city (Ivano-Frankivsk oblast) were widespread and became popular in the middle of the 19th – 21st centuries. Nowadays the wares of sacral character are getting a particular image content. Commonly, they are designed to decorate the interiors or are presents and souvenirs. Among the religious products line, the most prominent and commonly used in the church liturgy, household and ritual were the candlestick (the most popular was the candlestick- trinity) and the “aspergillum” that served as interiors of Roman Catholic temples. Other sacred items (icons, bowls depicting the saints) were made for the home interior, they were non-canonical. Hutsul hand-drawn ceramics in the works of modern local ceramists have acquired a new figurative colour