#Exhibit of the Month

Around thirty icons from the collection of the National Museum of History of Moldova feature Saint Nicholas the Hierarch and Miracle Worker. While most represent the later iconographic tradition, a few early images stand out as rare examples due to their composition.
In the icon "Saint Nicholas with Scenes from His Life", the hierarch is depicted bust-length, blessing the Gospel. He is framed by two round medallions showing Christ and the Mother of God, who hand him the Gospel and the omophorion. Saint Nicholas, earlier than other saints, was portrayed with scenes from his hagiographic cycle. The first images of his life date back to the 11th century, represented on a folding icon from the Monastery of Saint Catherine at Sinai.

The museum icon dates from the early 19th century, preserving the traditional chest format typical of classical icons. Twelve panels illustrate episodes from the saint's life, arranged from left to right: four on the upper register, four on the lower, and two on each side, as follows: Birth of Saint Nicholas (1), Baptism of Saint Nicholas (2), Miracle of Healing the Crippled Woman (3), Apprenticeship of Young Nicholas (4), Ordination as Deacon (5), Ordination as Bishop (6) Vision of Constantine (7), Saint Nicholas Saves Three Voivodes from Execution (8), Miracle of Rescue from Drowning (9), Miracle of Saving Basil from the Arabs (10), Dormition of Saint Nicholas (11), Translation of the Relics of Saint Nicholas to Bari (12).

Saint Nicholas the Hierarch is commemorated by the Orthodox Church twice a year: on December 6/19, the day of his birth, and on May 9/22, the day his relics were transferred from Myra to Bari (1087). Among all saints of the Christian world, the image of Saint Nicholas is one of the most popular, easily recognizable even to those unfamiliar with iconography.

He was born in the Roman Empire, at Patara in the province of Lycia, between 260-280, though early sources omit the exact date. Coming from a wealthy family, he rejected fame and luxury. From an early age he devoted himself to prayer and the study of Holy Scripture, while also mastering other disciplines. He avoided noisy gatherings and idle talk, attended church regularly, and pursued a life of chastity. Later he dedicated himself to pastoral ministry, defending the Christian faith with perseverance and firmly opposing heresies.
Through his care for people and the benefactions he performed everywhere, he became highly venerated not only in Myra but also in the surrounding regions. The grace of the Holy Spirit dwelling in his heart was revealed through miracles performed both during his life and after his death, earning him the enduring title of "Miracle Worker." Saint Nicholas passed away in the 330s (circa 334-337), and his remains were placed in a sumptuous marble tomb in the episcopal cathedral where he had served for many years. This soon became an important center of pilgrimage.
Holy Tradition has preserved with accuracy the features of his portrait, and his appearance in icons is marked by a distinct individuality. Ecclesiastical art has produced numerous iconographic representations, ranging from bust images to full-length depictions. The diversity of these representations suggests that the final iconography of Saint Nicholas was not yet established, taking shape only in the 10th-11th centuries. It is said that an authentic icon from the basilica in Myra, executed during the saint's lifetime and mentioned in written sources as early as the 11th century, played a significant role in his veneration.
Icons depicting the hagiographic cycle of Saint Nicholas spread widely in both Byzantine and post-Byzantine art, confirming the importance and popularity of his cult.

Virtual Tour

#Exhibit of the Month

July 2022

The Vărvăreuca Hoard

A hoard of bronze objects is understood as the intentional depositing in the ground, possibly in water, a swamp or an abyss of at least two bronze artifacts that are not related to grave goods or the remains of settlements. This is the result of conscious activity carried out in well-established manifestations in prehistoric societies. The custom of laying bronze objects began in the middle of the Bronze Age and continued with periods of peak and decline until the middle of the Iron Age. Finds of this kind are known throughout Europe and to the east, to the territory of Kazakhstan. Depending on the functional purpose of their constituent objects, there are hoards of one functional category, hoards of two functional categories, hoards of complex composition and heterogeneous hoards.

The significance of these deposits is interpreted in the literature in different ways. Some researchers believe that the hoards of bronze objects are of a secular nature (craftsmen's hoards that had to be recovered for reuse), others attribute them a sacred character (based on several criteria, such as composition, placement and laying in a certain way, intentional fragmentation of some objects).

About 20 such deposits are known on the territory of the Republic of Moldova, mostly random finds, of which only 9 (Antonești, Călmățui, Chișinău, Dancu, Haragîș, Lozova, Mîndrești, Ocnița and Vărvărăuca) are kept in the storages of the National Museum of History of Moldova. The rest of the hoards are in private collections. Archaeological complexes of this kind, discovered on the territory of our country, belong to the late Bronze Age (16th-13th centuries BC) and the early Iron Age (11th-10th centuries BC). Those dated to the Late Bronze Age are attributed to the Noua-Sabatinovka cultural block, whose communities inhabited this space during the period under consideration. The hoards contain items from the categories of tools, weapons, and, to a lesser extent, adornments. The most impressive complex of this type known on the territory of our country is the bronze objects deposit discovered in the village of Lozovo, which is presented to the attention of visitors in room No. 1 of the National Museum of History of Moldova.

The Vărvăreuca hoard was discovered by V. I. Markevich on the territory of the Eneolithic settlement of Vărvăreuca VIII. It contains 11 objects and is a hoard of complex composition, with tools, weapons and adornments. The tools are represented by two celts of the Eastern type and four sickles with holes in the handles (the so-called Heleșteni type). The weapon category is present with a dagger handle with a flattened and beautifully ornamented spherical end. The adornments are two bracelets, made of a bar oval in section, with loose ends and geometric ornament, and two earrings. The latter are made of thin bronze wire twisted concentrically and are unique items.

Currently, more and more complexes of this type are being discovered by treasure hunters, whose goal is the financial profit obtained from the sale of artifacts on the black market. Such illegal actions deprive these finds of their archaeological context and the possibility of historical and scientific development. Most often, these hoards are scattered among various private collections or sold abroad. Therefore, we call on the public to be conscientious and responsible, and if such objects are found, hand them over to specialized institutions.

#Exhibit of the Month

Icon “Saint Nicholas with Scenes from His Life”

July 2022

The Vărvăreuca Hoard

#Exhibit of the Month