Melnychuk L. Podollian Earthenware Trade in the system of Ukrainian ethnoculture (late XIX-XX ) .

The thesis is dedicated to complex study of Podollian earthenware trade in the system of Ukrainian ethnoculture within the period of its most intensive development. It is the first time that Podollian earthenware trade has been regarded as an ethnocultural phenomenon, which reflects the peculiarities of the historic, socio - economic and spiritual development of the land, the creatively productive experience and a unique form of embodiment of the ethnic philosophi. There has been shown the significance of the leading centres of earthenware trade and their influence on the commercial, economic and cultural life of the region. The thesis also provides district differenciation of Podollian ceramics, elucidates the peculiarities of the artistic style as well as the specific technological traits and artistic value. There have been determined the cultural and historic connections and interactions which effected the formation of artistic qualities of Podollian ceramics. We have defined the position of earthenware trade in the spiritual culture of Podollians, described the transformation of ritualistic and householdlife of potters, the application earthenware for calendar and family customs and their semiotic functions. We would also like to lay emphasis on the fact that complex study of economic decorative and household as well as of philosophical meaning of folk ceramics revealed its widely spread application in all spheres of Podollian life, the position of Podollian earthenware trade in the system of Ukrainian traditionary culture.