Convergent similarities to zoomorphic characters with a decorated body: animal style or free stylization?

The paper discusses examples of zoomorphic images with a decorated body,known in the decorative-applied art and in the rock art of various territories in Sayan-Altai and the Lower Amur. Such images are known as ornamental transparent, or X-raystyle zoomorphes. The similarity of stylistic features in the art of remote territories isregarded as a manifestation of convergent similarity, which rests upon a fundamental basisin the archaic world view. The author emphasizes that the preferences in rock art stylesand imagery develop on the background of visual preferences determined by long-termtraditions of openwork crafts from organic materials. The openwork art of applique isbrightly represented both in Altai and the Lower Amur. The historical, cultural and artisticenvironment actively shaped the demand for specific depictive devices and the choice ofcentral characters throughout various epochs.