Pottery Kilns of the end 17 – early 18 Century From the Town of Reshetylivka (Poltava Region)

The purpose of the paper is to reconstruct the process of firing pottery in the Hetmanate for the Early modern time, for example the materials from the rescue archaeological researches of two pottery kilns, carried out in 2006 in the former centurion town of Reshetylivka, Poltava regiment. The scientific novelty lies in that for the first time it is considered and described in detail of these pottery kilns construction, the characteristic feature of which was the use of kiln boxtype tiles to strengthen these thermo-technical facilities. For strengthening of the pottery kilns were used boxtype tiles. Such constructive specification sometimes was use in pottery kilns construction of Cossack Hetmanate pottery centers, but the peculiarity of these kilns is compilation of kiln’s central pillars completely of tiles. Was held the analysis of found in their filling materials, in particular, kitchenware, tiles (‘kahli’), candlesticks and other items. Conclusions. Found pottery kilns were built by one potter at his own estate in late 17 – early 18 centuries. Their forms of the kilns are typical for pottery kilns widespread on the territory of Ukraine at that time. All of tiles according to the place in a stove are divided into wall, corner and cornice. All of them are boxtype, rectangular with a small walls. According to the decor, the wall's boxytipe tiles are divided into seven types: with heraldic image of a two-headed eagle; with the heraldic image of the fight between the griffon and the lion; with rectangular center net with encircled thin branches; with crosses; with plant-geometric ornament; with the crossed stems of six three-petal ‘lilies’; with volute-styled elements. The analysis of the tiles’ decor showed that among the Reshetylivka’s tiles a special proficiency and high décor relief is peculiar for a part of tiles with crosses. Sometimes these are tiles with similar patterns, which show the durability of life of certain décor types. For long enough in Hetmanate were popular ‘carpet’ tiles with rhombic patterns, ‘tiles with crosses’ and tiles with volutes. Having entered into fashion at the beginning of 18 century such tiles were used practically during all the century on a wide territory. The majority of found in Reshetylivka tiles are similar to the findings from Poltava and are also correlated with the corresponding plots and decor of products of Middle Naddniprjanshchyna (Middle Dnieper territory). The analysis of the kitchenware (pots) showed that in Reshetylivka was produced smoked ceramics decorated with texturized ornament (mainly performed by graving with a stick (‘rytuvannia’) and stamping with roller). In 18 century became popular products decorated with painted ornament, which had replaced the previous ones in the assortment of potters. Judging from the characteristic features of kitchenware the abovementioned pottery kilns can be attributed to Poltava pottery region.