Russian banners in WWW Larisa Ournycheva Independent scholar Vil’niusskai, 6, I. 12, 344029 Rostov-on-Don, Russia 8632.546706 ournycheva@yahoo.com
Digital resources for research on medieval and early modern Russian banners as subject of material culture and art is topic of recent paper. Tsar’s, Grand Duke’s and Voivode’s banners were produced with the image of many figures, illustrated the sacred books, with numerous inscriptions from these books, and are impotent archaeological source. I present the electronic copies and descriptions of Great Banner 1560 and banner of prince Pojarskii early seventeenth. It is the first experience of creation of the electronic version of Russian banners in a Web. 1.The Great Banner 1560, the time of Ivan Groznyi, shows a vivid example advanced medieval Russian arts, but the theme of the image of troops rare in Russian iconography. On a banner John Theologian's Vision is represented. In the center of a banner is sewed a circle on which the Saviour in white clothes and on a white horse is represented, on the circle stars and cross are scattered. The circle is surrounded by cherubs. Below a circle the heavenly troops in white clothes and on silver horses, is represented. Even below in border near a staff John Theologian with an inscription: “ВидениеИоаннаБогослова” is represented. At the left in a slope is sewed one more circle in which Archangel Michael on a gold winged horse is represented. He holds in one hand a sword, in other cross. In a corner of a slope the iron sword with the gold handle is represented. On internal border flying birds, stars and crosses are represented. In inscriptions on a banner the Apocalypse is cited. On the reverse side of banner is such image, only inscriptions are replaced with stars. On bottom border an inscription about the time of creation of a banner: ”повелением благочестивого Царя и Великого Князя Ивана Васильевича, Государя всеа Русии сделано бысть сие знамя великий стяг 7068”. The banner is made of the Chinese taffeta, stars and crosses are executed from gold circles, and is stored in the Armory Chamber in Moscow. 2.On the face sheet of the banner of prince Pojarskii, early seventeenth, the composition “Capture of Jericho” is presented. A Canaan city Jericho taken and destroyed by Joshua, Moses’ successor, after the passage of the Jordan, is represented by gold. Archangel Michael in growth and kneeling before him Joshua, this composition is traditional. At corners gold ornaments, along edges an inscription from the book of Joshua. On other side of banner the image of the Saviour is placed. He blesses by the right hand, in the left hand holds the opened Gospel. On corners silver ornaments, between them in top and on the right, inscription: “Съ вышнихъ призирая, убогия приемъля”, on the left and bottom edges: “Всякия скверны всемилостивие Спасе, аз быхъ делатель”. The banner is executed from crimson damask and stored in the Armory Chamber in Moscow. The images of banners are reproduced from the issue: Исторический очерк о регалиях и знаках отличия Русской армии. Т.1. Великокняжеский и царский периоды. Составил Генерального Штаба полковник Николаев. СПб., 1899.
