#Exhibit of the Month

German porcelain is highly prized among antique collectors for its exceptional material quality, originality, and the meticulous craftsmanship of its decorative design.
The museum's collection preserves five figurines from one of the oldest porcelain manufactories in the Thuringia region of Germany - the statuary group known as *"The Musicians"*, crafted at the Volkstedt manufactory. These pieces entered the museum's holdings in 1991, acquired from a resident of Chișinău. With undeniable historical and artistic value, they bear the distinct imprint of the Rococo style.
The Volkstedt manufactory has a long-standing tradition in producing figurines, including those depicting musicians. In 1760, Georg Heinrich Macheleid - inventor of hard-paste porcelain in Thuringia - founded a production workshop in Zitzendorf, which was relocated to Volkstedt in 1762. Macheleid led the manufactory until 1764. Over time, the factory changed ownership and management multiple times. Under the direction of Christian Nonne, it flourished between 1767 and 1797, a period marked by significant artistic development. Volkstedt began creating figurines that would later gain international recognition.
It was during this flourishing period that the museum's porcelain statuettes, titled *"The Musicians"*, were produced. They depict five “putti”: four playing musical instruments (flute, mandolin, horn, and pipe), while the fifth conducts. Each figurine is entirely handcrafted - from modeling to painting - and delicately adorned with pastel tones and gilded details, capturing the playful movement and refined artistry of each musician. The base is made of mass-colored porcelain in a rare grey-green hue. The contrast between green, white, and gold accents lends the ensemble an unusually delicate appearance. These ornamental features are characteristic of the Rococo style, which emerged in France and is closely associated with the reign of King Louis XV.

The mark applied to the figurines consists of two crossed forks, clearly rendered in underglaze blue, with slightly blurred paint - a detail that helps date their production. Because the crossed forks often resembled the crossed swords of the Meissen trademark, the Volkstedt manufactory was compelled to change its mark starting in 1787. Initially represented by a single fork, the mark briefly returned to two forks before being replaced in 1800 by the graphic symbol "R", referencing the town of Rudolstadt. Therefore, the brief period during which the two-fork mark was reinstated - and during which the museum's figurines were likely produced - is estimated to be between 1787 and 1800.

The statuettes range in height from 10 to 18 cm and are preserved in relatively good condition.

These late 18th-century German porcelain pieces, now on display, are exceptionally rare. They stand as true works of art by German craftsmen and serve as important historical testimonies to the evolution of porcelain manufacturing in Germany.

Virtual Tour

Exhibitions

"IMPRESSIONS FROM INDIA"

THE EXHIBITION OF ARTIST PHOTOGRAPHER PAUL BOCK (USA)

4-30 June, 2024

The International Association "Euro Photo Art" from Oradea (AIEFA) has prepared for photography lovers from the Republic of Moldova, an exhibition of photographic art of great artistic value, entitled "Impressions from India", which was also opened last year at the Palace of the Parliament in Romania, on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Romania and India.

The exhibition is organized under the auspices of the International Federation of Photographic Art recognized by UNESCO, in partnership with the National History Museum of Moldova, the Embassy of India in Romania and the Republic of Moldova respectively Summit Agro Romania, a company belonging to the Japanese corporation Sumitomo, supporter of agriculture and art.

This time, a selection of 50 large-format photographs will be installed on the easels in the hall at the entrance to the National History Museum of Moldova, made by the renowned photographer artist Paul Bock from the United States of America, originally from Oradea, member of AIEFA. The images were taken during a creative trip of the renowned photographic artist in the summer of 2022 in India. The images can also be viewed on the website of the International Association: https://eurofotoart.ro/expo-paul-bock-usa/.

The opening of the photographic art exhibition entitled "Impressions from India" will take place on Tuesday 04 June 2024, at 15:00, in the entrance hall of the National History Museum of Moldova, in the presence of distinguished guests, including the Ambassador of India in Romania, the Republic of Moldova and Albania, His Excellency Rahul Shrivastava, curator of the exhibition, photographer artist Ștefan Tóth István, President of AFIAP, ESFIAP and Dr. Eng. Patricia Maria Ştirbu, President of Summit Agro for Romania, the Republic of Moldova, Bulgaria and Adria.

On this occasion, the photographic art album "Impressions from India", by the photographer Paul Bock, published with the financial support of the Embassy of India in Romania and under the care of the publishing house "Euro Foto Art", will be released.

The musical moments of the opening will be provided by the renowned Oradean viola artist Thurzó Sándor József, who will perform several pieces from the Indian repertoire: "Poor Heart" by A.R. Rahman¸ "Fire in the city of Poroshmoni" by R. Tagore, "I still want you" by Mithoon and "Sare Jahan Se Acha" by Suhale Mazoor. The opening will be broadcast online on the Association's facebook address: https://www.facebook.com/EuroFotoArtAssociation

The famous photographer Paul Bock was born in Oradea, he graduated from the Mixed Classical High School in his hometown, and after obtaining an engineering degree from the Polythenic Institute of Timisoara, he returned to Oradea for a period of time, then, for 26 years, led a petrochemical plant design workshop in the USA, South Korea, Venezuela, Argentina, Brazil, Israel and Italy. His dream from his youth - photography - was forgotten, because of the activities of this period. After the family situation allowed him to do so, he also devoted himself to photography. Thus, from the year 2000, he studied with the renowned artist photographer Larry Jeans, the assistant in his youth to the renowned world-class photographer Ansel Adams. In 2004 he obtained the Diploma Tri - Community School of Photography from Los Angeles. On August 4, 2013, he joined the "Euro Photo Art" Association, and from 2017 he became the vice-president of the International Association for the USA. He regularly participated with his works in various international projects organized by the "Euro Photo Art" Association in different parts of the world.

Throughout his artistic career he obtained a series of international awards and distinctions. From his works, two exhibitions of photographic art were opened in 2009 and 2018, in the longest-running permanent gallery of photographic art in Romania, the "Euro Foto Art" Gallery - Oradea (RO), which in 2019 also became the 17th FIAP Exhibition Center in the world.

#Exhibit of the Month

The Statuary Group “The Musicians”

"IMPRESSIONS FROM INDIA"

THE EXHIBITION OF ARTIST PHOTOGRAPHER PAUL BOCK (USA)

4-30 June, 2024

#Exhibit of the Month