Décoration artistique de la nacre dans les pays balkaniques pendant la domination ottomane

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Verena Han

Abstract

From time immemorial shells and indirectly mother - of - pearl
growing within them have been considered to have magical properties
when worn as amulets and have been invested with symbolic meaning.
In Christianity a shell is a symbol of the Holy Virgin, while in biblical
texts a mother-of-pearl formed within a shell is represented as a symbol
of Christ. On the basis of such symbolic meanings, this article reviews
the wide range of use of mother-of-pearl in manufacturing ecclesiastical
and liturgical objects from the 15th to the 18th century in the Balkan
countries under Turkish rule. In addition to the religious symbolism
ascribed to shells and mother of pearl, their use in craftsmanship was
also dictated by economic reasons. The adverse circumstances of Christians
in the Balkans at that time forced them to opt for less expensive
materials than silver and gold.

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