Preserving Authentic Decoration in the Entrance Spaces of Residential Buildings in Eastern Galicia from the late 19th to the First Third of the 20th Century: Restoration Experience

Abstract

The special role in shaping the entrance spaces of buildings, their artistic expressiveness belonged to decorative art, as architects used such materials as artistic wood, artistic metal, artistic glass, artistic ceramics, artistic paintings, sculptural forms, decorative stone and other elements for decorating entrance spaces. Sometimes, one motif could be the main focus in the decor of entrance spaces, echoing with artistic paintings, decor on ceramic tiles, etched pseudo-stained glass, supraports and wrought ironwork of stair railings according to the principle of interaction of arts. However, there are cases of staircases, artistic paintings or stained-glass windows that are not continued in the patterns of ceramic tiles, decor of walls and ceilings, railing enclosures, or artistic solutions of entrance gates. In such cases, these decorative elements act as an accent in the interior. Natural studies allow to systematize the typology of doors based on a number of characteristics: material of manufacture, stylistic execution, principles of decorative solution, location of artistic decoration, type of ornament of wrought iron grilles and so on. However, alongside negative examples of the state of entrance spaces, there is also positive experience of their preservation and restoration.