#Exhibit of the Month

The bronze hoard was discovered on the territory of Mîndrești village, Telenești district, in 1968. It was identified accidentally by a group of students from the village school, and the materials later came to the attention of specialists at the Institute of History of the Academy of Sciences. According to documentary records, the hoard was composed of ten pieces: four socketed axes (celts), a dagger fragment, a sword fragment, a sickle, a winged axe, an adze-axe, and a chain consisting of four links.
Currently, of the mentioned assemblage, six objects are preserved in the collections of the National Museum of History of Moldova: two socketed axes (celts), the winged axe, the adze-axe, the dagger fragment, and the chain made of four links.- Socketed axe (celt) with one loop. Dimensions: Length - 10.2 cm; Weight - 186 g.
- Socketed axe (celt) with one frontal loop. Dimensions: Length - 8.4 cm; Width: 33-46 mm; Weight - 124 g.
- Winged axe. Dimensions: Length - 14.0 cm; Width - 2.5-3.4 cm; Weight - 285 g.
- Adze-axe. Dimensions: Length - 14.8 cm; Width - 2.3-5.0 cm; Weight - 286 g.
- Dagger fragment. Dimensions: Length - 16.5 cm; Blade length - 9.8 cm; Blade width - 2.8 cm; Weight - 81 g.
- Chain formed of four links. Dimensions: Length - 17.1 cm; Link diameter - 3.8; Weight - 32 g.The bronze hoard of Mîndrești is important due to the association of objects that find analogies in the regional repertoire with pieces that show clear analogies in Central Europe and the Carpathian Basin. The assemblage reflects a zone of contact and interaction where metallic forms of different origins and traditions circulated and were integrated into the repertoire of local communities.
Chronologically, the bronze hoard of Mîndrești is attributed to the Early Hallstatt period - HaA1, being dated to 1200-1100 BC.

Virtual Tour

Exhibitions

„Christmas Memories”

20 December, 2017 – 14 January, 2018

The exhibition "Christmas Memories" recreates the magical atmosphere of the holidays, as it was during the 20th century. The objects from the museum collection invite the visitors to step into the atmosphere of the Christmas holiday from the past when Moș Crăciun (Santa Claus) was then called Moș Gerilă, and the Christmas Holidays were back then Winter Holidays.

The central element of the exhibition is the Christmas tree, adorned with ornaments and garlands from the 60ies and 70ies of the 20th century, with snowflakes made of wadding, with walnuts and apples. Around the tree are exhibited decorations, Santa Claus figurines, bells and gifts for children offered by Santa - dolls, bears, puppies, trains, and so on. The exhibition offers the opportunity to (re)discover the favorite decorations and toys from our childhood, or that of our parents and grandparents.

The postcards give a note of originality to the exhibition. They are meant to show the magic of the winter holidays. They make up moments that descend from childhood fairy tales with Santa Claus, reindeers, fairy-tale landscapes with the spirit of Christmas, snowmen, fir trees, gifts, etc.

In the displayed images the exhibition shows an evolution of the representation of Santa Claus over hundreds of years, from the seventeenth century to the present day. Santa's representations have transformed over time, either according to the imagination of painters or cartoonists, or to the available drawing technique or the peculiarities of the times.

The exhibition "Christmas Memories" is the gift offered by the National Museum of History of Moldova at the end of year to all visitors, but especially to children.

#Exhibit of the Month

The Bronze Hoard of Mîndrești

„Christmas Memories”

20 December, 2017 – 14 January, 2018

#Exhibit of the Month