Регионални особености на надгробната скулптура в района на Южните Родопи
Local Peculiarities of the Gravestone Sculpture from the Region of the Southern Rhodopes

Summary/Abstract: The author considers the local peculiarities of the gravestone sculpture in the region of the Southern Rhodopes and finds a great variety in the spatial and ornamental modelling of the tombstones from the National Revival period mainly on the territory of the District of Kardzhali. This variety has been conditioned by the complicated history of this region, as well as by the availability of large quantities of high-quality marble. It is manifested in the following artistic implementations: 1. Anthropomorphic tombstones. 2. Heavily ornamented tombstones covering horizontally the entire grave. 3. Small vertically extended tombstones with a semicircular, slightly sharp-pointed upper end. The ornamentation of these tombstones often includes variously shaped contours of a human silhouette. 4. Small tombstones with a semicircular and slightly sharp-pointed end suggesting an extremely wide range of indications as to the deceased man’s occupation, profession, apparel and other distinctive details. The material – marble – is what unites the gravestone sculptures in the region of the Southern Rhodopes, notwithstanding the differences in form deriving from demographic factors Therefore, the technical execution of the plastic work is characterized in all cases by low relief and precise elaboration of the pieces down to the minutest detail. There is no doubt as to the socio-historical function of the Rhodope gravestones as a reflection of history and as a manifestation of philosophical, religious and aesthetic views characteristic of the people from this part of the country.

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