#Exhibit of the Month

Buckles (paftale) are an almost indispensable element of traditional women's dress in the Southeastern European area, particularly in the Balkans, and have been in use over a long period, from the 14th to the 20th century.
The word pafta is of Turkic origin-possibly entering the language via Iranian influence-derived from the Persian word bafta, meaning "woven," which evolved in Turkish to signify "plate." Today, the term is used in nearly identical forms in Romanian (pafta), Bulgarian (пафта), Serbian (пафте), and some Aromanian dialects (pafta), designating functional and ornamental clothing accessories used to fasten belts, girdles, or sashes, crafted from various materials and decorated using different techniques.
The three buckles decorated in the polychrome enamel technique, preserved in the collection of the National Museum of History of Moldova, belong to the South-Danubian tradition and are dated to the late 19th - early 20th century.

Each buckle consists of two identical trapezoidal parts, their surfaces divided into three roughly equal registers, adorned with stylized vegetal motifs forming a metal lattice into which enamel is poured. The two parts extend into sharp angles at the ends, forming a triangle with the edge of the last decorative register, similarly ornamented. The enamel used to fill the floral motifs is black, turquoise, white, orange, green, yellow, and burgundy. The entire decorative field is framed by a beaded border.

On the reverse, both components retain a copper band riveted along the edge, used to fasten the ends of the belt. The fastening system, made by interlocking the hinges of the two parts and secured with a movable pin attached by a chain to a clasp fixed on one of the buckle pieces, is concealed by a rectangular plate (riveted with three pins to the body of the piece), with narrow edges ending in sharp angles, decorated in the same style and technique. Additionally, it features three circular settings with notched edges bent inward to hold centrally placed red and green glass paste. These settings are framed by a radiant, notched band.

The symbolism of the color palette encodes meanings and symbols, chosen for their believed magical powers. Red has always represented love, affection, and protection against curses and the evil eye; white symbolizes purity and spiritual and physical cleanliness; blue is symbolically associated with infinity, morning, new beginnings, and transformation; green represents destiny, hope, prosperity, balance, and rebirth, being linked to nature's revival each spring and to life itself.

Virtual Tour

International Museum Day 2016

Every year since 1977, on May 18^th, is celebrated the International Museum Day at the initiative of The International Council of Museums (ICOM) in order to promote and to make the public aware of the role of these cultural institutions in the society. In 2016 this day has the theme „Museums and cultural landscapes".

The program prepared on this occasion by the National Museum of History of Moldova included:

13th May, 12.00

Opening of exhibition of porcelain from Hungary „Shining Herend". The exhibition was organized in cooperation with the Hungarian Embassy in Moldova and Herendi Porcelánmanufaktúra Zrt. (Herend Porcelain Manufacture A.S.) and was held under the patronage of the Ministry of Culture of Moldova. The opening ceremony was attended by a large audience with H.E. Mátyás Szilágyi, Ambassador of Hungary in Moldova; Monica Babuc, Minister of Culture of Moldova and dr. hab. Eugen Sava, General Director of the National Museum of History of Moldova, who spoke words of greeting.

18th May, 10.00-17.00

Open doors day.

The permanent and temporary exhibitions were open for visiting.

Throughout the day were held creativity workshops for children „History and art of writing" and „Mysteries of prehistoric pottery".

In the museum film library „Clio" were projected four documentary films, which promote the cultural heritage and historic traditions:
- „Byzantium - a lost empire";
- „Nefertiti - queen of Egypt";
- „Chișinău of past days";
- „National values in modern education".

Starting with 13.30 was held an entertainment program „Two hours of recreation at the museum". From the program:
- games and competitions with museum heritage thematic;
- concert performed by the groups of the Center for Aesthetic Education „Lăstărel": vocal bands „Tinerețe floare", boys choir „Academia Campanelli", group of violinists, folk dance group „Brâuleț", vocal band „Solo", group of pianists, vocal band „Ell-By-Star", group of accordionists.

#Exhibit of the Month

Buckles Decorated in the Polychrome Enamel Technique

International Museum Day 2016

#Exhibit of the Month