Based on a comparative study of large collections of 15th–18th century Russian decorative tiles from Moscow and other Russian manufacturing centers, a typology of the tiles is proposed, and the technology of their manufacture is reconstructed. The production of decorative tiles began in the late 15th century, and reached its peak in the second half of the 17th century, when it spread to other towns throughout all the provinces of Russia. Tiles and their technologies were distributed in various ways to other cities. Carved templates used for printing were exported from Moscow, skills of fi ring, preparing glaze, etc. were taught, and artisans themselves traveled from Moscow to various other provinces.
