Fragment of a Mould with the Potocki Coat of Arms and St. Joseph

The mould takes the form of a small wooden rectangle, on both sides of which recessed patterns are carved. At the centre of the surface on one side is the coat of arms of the noble Potocki family, Pilawa. This carved image represents the symbol of the Potockis’ ancestral grandeur and honour, military glory, and political power. The compositional centre is a cross with two arms to the left and three to the right, set within a shield surmounted by a crown. Surrounding it are carved attributes of military symbolism: cannons, cannonballs, drums, crossed flags, and cannon wheels. The setting evokes a sense of power, alluding to the family's merits. The ornamental-heraldic character dates back to the eighteenth century, when the symbolism of power was often combined with military attributes. The compositional centre of the other side is a full-length figure of St Joseph. The elongated figure holding the Christ Child and a lily is carved on the board. The folds of the tunic are rendered with long, flowing lines. The image of the saint is marked by simplicity and restraint. The composition is framed within a rectangular border with faceted corners. The presented mould is not merely an instrument for reproducing representational images, but a testimony to aristocratic self-presentation and the promotion of the Potocki family within the cultural space of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth.

Borys Voznytskyi Lviv National Art Gallery