princely chancellery | Martyria

Studia Humanitatis No. II (XXII) / 2026 Ornithomorphic and fantastical motifs in the decoration of Brâncoveanu charters Associate Professor Dr Ion Marian Croitoru, Dr. Oana-Mădălina Popescu

The study analyses the ornithomorphic and zoomorphic motifs found in the decoration of the charters issued during the reign of Constantin Brâncoveanu, identifying peacocks, cross-bearing eagles, doves and winged lions in documents drafted by calligraphers such as Isar the Logothete, Constantin Mihailovici Conțescul and Mihai, son of Stan the Logothete. Beyond their aesthetic function, these representations constitute a coherent visual language, expressing the Orthodox Christian identity of Wallachia, the virtues of governance and the symbiotic relationship between the Principality and the Church.

Studia Humanitatis No. I (XXI) / 2026 Zoomorphic and fantastical motifs in the decoration of Brâncoveanu charters Associate Professor Dr Ion Marian Croitoru, Dr. Oana-Mădălina Popescu

The study analyses the zoomorphic motifs of the snake in the miniatures on the charters issued by the Holy Martyr Constantin Brâncoveanu (1688-1714), identifying specific examples signed by scribes such as Radu Șufar and Mihai, son of Stan, and demonstrating that the snakes on the ornate initials symbolised the wisdom of the Christian voivode-wisdom received through ecclesiastical consecration-rather than mere decoration.