#Exhibit of the Month

The grapevine plant, now widespread across the globe, traces its origins back to the Upper Cretaceous geological period, when species of Vitis Linn appeared on Earth (Mesozoic era), followed later by Vitis vinifera L., the latter already classified among cultivated agricultural plants. Most researchers link the origin of the cultivated grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) to the wild forest species Vitis sylvestris Gmel. Thickets of Vitis sylvestris Gmel. can still sporadically be found in the groves along the Prut and Dniester floodplains.

During the Precucuteni III - Trypillia A period (ca. 4750-4600 BC), the presence of cultivated grape seeds was clearly documented on pottery from the settlement of Ruseştii Noi I, layer I, kiln A, consisting of a seed impression on a ceramic fragment, with the elongated beak characteristic of the domesticated species Vitis vinifera L. Another seed impression of Vitis vinifera L. was recorded at the settlement of Vărvăreuca VIII, identified on the wall of a painted vessel from the Cucuteni B - Trypillia CI stage (3800-3500/3300 BC).
In October, on the occasion of the National Wine Day, the National Museum of History of Moldova presents to your attention a unique relic in Southeastern Europe. The exhibit originates from the settlement Brînzeni VIII "Sâiece," belonging to the Cucuteni-Trypillia culture and dated to the Cucuteni AB2 - Trypillia B2 phase (ca. 4050-3800 BC), located in Brînzeni village, Edineț district. The site lies 2 km southwest of the locality, in a triangle formed by the confluence of the Racovăț and Drobiște streams and the local road L36 Bădragii Vechi-Brînzeni. Positioned on land 25-30 meters above the valley, it was discovered in 1966 by archaeologist Nicolaie Chetraru and investigated through excavations between 1978-1980 by Vsevolod Marchevici.
The October exhibit is a grapevine leaf impression discovered in 1980. It comes from pit no. 5, partially investigated, with a maximum depth of 155 cm. From the same archaeological complex near dwelling no. 1, several grape seeds were also recovered, as noted in the excavation report. The grapevine leaf impression appears on a coarse clay lump, fired and vitrified due to secondary burning, reddish in color, with an irregular rectangular, flattened shape. The outer surface is uneven and rough. The impression surface is smoothed, with the leaf veins clearly highlighted. Measuring 99 mm in length, 110 mm in width, and 28-31 mm in thickness, the exhibit presents in full splendor an authentic grapevine leaf impression. Some researchers attribute it to the domesticated grapevine Vitis vinifera L., while others, more skeptical, consider it a wild species. Nevertheless, being discovered in a well-documented archaeological context, together with grape seeds near a dwelling, it provides evidence that grapevine was part of Cucuteni community life 6,000 years ago. These findings allow us to affirm that the process of domestication and the creation of table grapes was already underway. The diversity of Cucuteni ceramic forms, as well as the painting on some vessels, undoubtedly suggests their use as containers for various liquids. Accordingly, the emergence of wine among Cucuteni communities can be taken into consideration.

Virtual Tour

March 2021

THE GOSPEL of 1855

The lack of Romanian-language religious books in Bessarabia under the rule of the Russian Empire forced the church authorities in Chişinău to order the resumption of their printing. After a period of crisis, through which the printing activity within the Diocese of Chişinău and Khotin had passed, in 1853 it was revived. At the suggestion of Bishop Irynarch Popov, the Economic Directorate of the Bishops' House ordered the purchase of new equipment (fonts of different sizes) for the printing house, ink, paper, and also the staff was increased. A boom in the publishing work of the printing house follows, which was accompanied by many publications.

The Gospel in Romanian, published in 1855, was the third work printed at the Diocesan Printing House reopened in 1853. The two-year delay in publishing the book was caused by a problem with the quality of paper required for editorial printing. In particular, its lack also influenced the circulation of the book, which was published in only 603 copies (initially it was supposed to publish 1000 copies). The Gospel of Buda produced in 1812 served as an original for the printing of the 1855 Gospel of Chişinău.

The first two pages from the beginning of the Gospel, to be sent to the owner of paper in Warsaw, were typed and printed on June 29, 1853. The fonts for printing were purchased, and an engraving "St. John the Theologian" was printed on the second page (reverse side). The printed sample was sent to a Polish merchant, and on January 1, 1855, an employment contract was concluded with Valiko Sobelman, who undertook to bind the books at a price of 80 kopecks in silver each.

Some copies of the 1855 edition of the Gospel were later clad in silver, which confirms the sacred significance of the book, as well as its essential role in worship.

The National Museum of History of Moldova possesses three copies of the Gospel printed in Chişinău in 1855, which were examined by the late Dr. Maria Danilov. The volume on display is an exceptional one and differs from the other copies in its silver cover. The legs, the corner metal plates with engraved images of the Evangelists, and the central medallion depicting the Crucifixion of Christ bear the mark of the assayer, the mark of silver fineness 84 zolotnik, and the image of an oak on the shield. As a result of the research, it was found that the cover was made by a local craftsman, and the image of the "oak on a shield", which was the coat of arms of the Orhei uyezd, suggests that the cover was made in a local workshop, the existence of which in the middle of the 19th century is confirmed in the literature.

The religious books printed in Chişinău in the second half of the 19th century, stored in the collections of the National Museum of History of Moldova, give a special significance to book printing and the art of book design, which lies in the continuity of the spiritual tradition of the Romanian people of Bessarabia of the 19th century.

#Exhibit of the Month

Grapevine Leaf Impression

March 2021

THE GOSPEL of 1855

#Exhibit of the Month