The Early Medieval relief from Malo Čajno nearby Visoko with great Nespina kaznac’s added inscription
Ante Milošević
This text deals with circumstances of the finding as well art and iconographic characteristics an interesting relief accidentally dug out in 1947, north-east from Visoko, Central Bosnia. Field examination that followed afterwards determined once was a part itinerary interior decoration smaller building. Supposedly, this medieval tomb construction based on fact nearby environment there were several other unornamented tombstones after Cyrillic inscription which probably carved afterwards. The afore mentioned was, more frequently than itself, object interest for researchers because it mentions two historical personalities, Nespina kaznac Great his sister Bjeloka. Naïve nature carving is highly stressed feature (210 cm long, 106 high 7-10 thick) especially noticeable displayed human form. Its body, apart protectivebelt wrapped around right arm sharp tipped shoes, has no clothing items displayed. body placed semi-profile while head shown en face. hands are uneven length its fists external sides so one gets impression hunter left hands. form naïve display figure characteristic theearly period. Similarly, miniature 9th century showing transport relics, front porter scene awkward ”two hands” length. Generally, primitive stone-carving method Visoko can also be recognized displaying Palm Sunday Venice, marble panel San Saba church Rome Žrnovnica Dalmatia. All these examples we used to compare with, originate 8th century.Due looks contents motif including hunting scene, Malo Čajno identified similar motifs stećci. However, different stećci, not only details but complete artistic creation. animals, next it, numerous do exist similardisplays Hairy animals have their big grinned teeth stressed, dogs leather collars precise hair beard, facial hairy neck. entire composition rigid case stećci rather very dynamic. standing aside spear up air, expecting attackfrom boar surrounded by three dogs. wild beast already overpowered threw under feet dogs, another dog charging energetically,while third running away looking back prevent being grabbed back. There some perspective whole performance dog, secondplain above hunter’s hands, bit others. J. Kovačević who discussed art, iconographyand chronology relief. According opinion, created influence early Romanesque western Europe, particularly following monuments eastern Adriatic coast where stylistically reliefs,in way they form, found. implicitly suggests dating into 11th century. He stated chronological link between Late Antique displays those will numerously show late Through interpretation content relief,he assumed frequent ancient mythological narrative whose interpretatio christiana lies Christian art. Symbolically, killing actually devil or evil spirit which, according gospels Luke Matthew, Christ forced pig, staying untilits disappearance through submerging water. After texts addressing attention. In past literature, most topic papers dealing Bosnian Medieval Afterwards, M. Wenzel first later timesby Š. Bešlagić found standpoint opinion shape holds my stone vicinity dueto complexity specific processing, cannot linked single ornament tombstones. Those tried make connection warn us among onstećci, deer scenes prevalent, eleven times. process dual analogies all reliefs period, schematic makes recognizable lot imagination. stećak Donja Zgošća near Kakanj, israther impressive dimensions ornaments,one interpreted precisely like that, making such made second indicator equalize large holding It presumably use during 14th 15th Several spears well, significantly our truly resembles Early Medieval, Frankish wings inthe half throughout pieces weapons Dalmatian outback, Hercegovina southwestern function clearly indicated tiny images Carolingian book sand Europe Of special importance issue analogy Split horseman attacking bear almost identical spear. Until recently monument considered stone-carving, thanks further detailed andiconographic analysis belongs pre-Romanesque period; likely heads especially, robust semi-open jaws long teeth, could Čajno. Thanks outlook, comparison bodies, mostly resemble augmented animal specimen furniture churches cities Dalmatia, Istria northern Italy. hunting, previously noted, taken repertoire sarcophagus theme Meleager Calydonian Solin (today Archeological museum Split) best prestigious Attic workshops. Antiquity exemplify period Kovačević.A portico cathedral Civita Castellana good Visoko. On Lazio, hunt taking place forest horsemen infantry participating. attacked small wings, hand horn mouth pursuingit, men, equipped fashion, hunt. infantrymen Visokoincluding presence carving. Their legs presented profile, torso areen Apart fashion Bosnia withtheir thick triangular beards broad highlights combed towards scalp. Display superposition artanalogy present both monuments. Cività beLangobardian legacy usually dated century.The added kaznac’s dominated serrated tools. common Period traces far I know. hand, final processing surface Roman assume should understood antique tradition. Such technique applied area today’s involves protomes arrangedin sequence ornamenting outer wall apse palace within curtis Breza, ram’s moufflon’s capital same site. Clear marks chisel hammer indicate assumedlybe approximately building Breza differently functionally explained. old land property. Almost fragments decorate exterior iconography.This reflected bear, moufflon ram would acceptable secular buildings lodge nobility residence Middle Ages. Earlier qualities procedures verysimilar sculptures Breza. Therefore, if add (narrative scene) indicators, assumption ambience does seem too daring. justified know localities few kilometers apart. Hence, consider MaloČajno Ages, roughly centuries Period, new position At moment got new, funeral functionwhich successively originating 12th 13th re-use uncommon Bosnia, thing happened famous Kulin ban’s panelwhich nearby, Biskupići.
Godišnjak