#Exhibit of the Month

This clay vessel was discovered in 1982 by archaeologist V. Sorochin during excavations of a burial mound (no. 1) located in the village of Speia, Dubăsari District. It originates from grave no. 5 and is dated to the 4th millennium BC, belonging to the Usatovo culture.
The vessel was found in a child's grave. The burial pit had an oval shape, and the deceased was laid in a crouched position (similar to the fetal posture), on the left side. A total of five vessels were uncovered in this grave: three near the back, one at the feet, and one in the pelvic area.
The cultural attribution of this funerary complex was determined based on the burial rite and grave goods. This culture is characterized by the specific construction of the burial pit, as well as the positioning and orientation of the deceased toward the east and northeast.

The vessel is shaped from clay mixed with finely crushed shell. Its walls curve gradually toward the top, with the widest diameter at the shoulder area. It has a short neck, a slightly flared rim, and a flat base. The surface is carefully polished, in some areas to a lustrous finish. The interior is reddish-brown, while the exterior is yellowish-brown with gray spots. The rim features groups of perforations, three of which are preserved in their original state. The diameter of the holes is 0.35 cm. The space between the groups of perforations is decorated with cord impressions. The transition from the neck to the shoulder is adorned with three horizontal lines made with cord, from which, in five places, three vertical lines descend, each 5 cm long, executed using the same technique. At the time of discovery, these lines were filled with a white paste. The space between the groups of lines is decorated at the top with short vertical lines (0.5 cm long), and in the center with a meander ornament made of two parallel lines impressed with cord. The base of the vessel retains the imprint of a textile.
Vessel dimensions: Height: 22 cm; Rim diameter: 15.7 cm; Maximum diameter: 22 cm; Base diameter: 10 cm.

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Events Archive

Opening of the Exhibition “Moldovan Summers”

October 22, 2025

On Wednesday, October 22, 2025, the National Museum of History of Moldova inaugurated the exhibition Moldovan Summers, featuring works by British artist Lotta Camilla Teale. The event brought together members of the academic community, representatives of cultural institutions, and the general public, offering a moment of reflection on how direct observation and painterly practice document the transformations of everyday spaces.

Welcome remarks were delivered by dr. hab Eugen Sava, General Director of the National Museum of History of Moldova, who emphasized the importance of international collaborations in promoting artistic heritage; Her Excellency Yesim Oruc, UN Resident Coordinator in the Republic of Moldova, highlighted the role of culture and art as tools for fostering intercultural dialogue; and Mr. Andrei Chistol, State Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, reaffirmed the Ministry's support for projects that connect contemporary art with national heritage.

The presence of artist Lotta Teale enriched the cultural dialogue, offering the audience insight into her creative process and the visual ethnographic approach underpinning the selection of works on display.

The exhibition brings together works created over the course of a year of artistic practice in Moldova - in gardens, on streets, in rural areas, and in the studio - and invites analytical attention to everyday elements: vernacular architecture, agrarian-urban landscapes, objects from local markets, and still-life scenes.

An internationally recognized artist, Lotta Camilla Teale is a member of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters (UK) and has exhibited in prestigious galleries in London, Bath, New York, and Massachusetts. Her works are part of private collections across several continents. Since relocating to Chișinău in the summer of 2024, the artist has developed a body of work that offers an external perspective attuned to the cultural specificity and visual richness of the local environment.

The exhibition is open to visitors from October 22 to November 10, 2025, on the ground floor of the National Museum of History of Moldova (31 August 1989 Street, No. 121A, Chișinău). For additional information regarding visiting hours, guided tours, and curatorial insights related to the project, the public is invited to contact the museum or consult the institution's official website. Further materials about the artist and catalog images can be found at www.lottateale.com and on Instagram @lottateal

#Exhibit of the Month

Clay Vessel discovered in Speia Village, Dubăsari District

Opening of the Exhibition “Moldovan Summers”

October 22, 2025

#Exhibit of the Month