Dedication of the Banner of Lviv Corporation of Bakers in 1893

The work aims at publishing a previously unknown Act of the Dedication of the Banner of Lviv Corporation of Bakers on 18th of June 1893, found in the fonds of Vasyl Stefanyk National Scientific Library in Lviv, analyzing the images and symbols on the Banner, and research the dedication motives through the prism of the historiographical concept of «the invention of tradition». Scientific novelty is to introduce a new historical source useful for studying the history of crafts on Ukrainian territories and iconography of the banners of artisan guilds and the XIX-century religious practices. The methodology of the research involves the application of the principles of historism and objectivity. The methods of iconography as a special historical discipline were applied for the analysis of the guild banner as well as the comparative method to determine the typicality of its images. Publication of the document is based on the modern principles of archeography. From the perspective of further studies, it is necessary to locate the analyzed banner in Ukrainian and foreign archives and museums, find similar dedication acts to study a broader context of banner dedication as a religious practice, and to compare symbols and images on the banners. Conclusions. Elimination of artisan guilds by the Habsburg authority in 1859 did not stop the development of artisan corporations in Western Ukraine. With the adoption of the «Law on societies» in 1867, Lviv craftsmen resumed their activity and unions. The Corporation of Bakers was one of them. They resumed their work not only as an artisan union but also as a religious fraternity. The Act of Dedication of the Banner, which has been analyzed in the research, can be used as evidence. Images and symbols on the banner of Lviv bakers are typical for guild banners on Ukrainian territories. The Act of Dedication that took place on 18th of June 1893, should be regarded as «the invention of tradition». The goal was to establish a connection with the past – the guild eliminated three decades ago.