#Exhibit of the Month

The Roman bronze situla comes from a collection of archaeological artifacts confiscated at customs and transferred to the holdings of the National Museum of History of Moldova in 2009. Its place of discovery remains unknown.

A situla (Latin for "bucket") is a metal vessel-usually made of bronze-shaped like a pail and equipped with two movable handles at the top, traditionally used for mixing wine with water. The handles are attached to the vessel via two decorated ears that are welded to the rim.

The body of the situla is truncated-conical in shape and features two decorative bands with small circular patterns formed by hammering, located just below the rim.

Its base is double-layered: the inner bottom is hemispherical and hammered, while the outer bottom is flat and lathe-made. The outer base is welded to the inner bottom, serving as the vessel's foot-support.

This object was crafted using a combination of casting, hammering, and partial lathe-finishing. Dimensions: Maximum height - 31.7 cm; Maximum diameter - 22.8 cm; Base diameter - 13.5 cm

Situlae of this type originated in the Roman Empire and were later adopted by various ancient peoples, including those from the northwestern Pontic region.

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The 12th Edition of the Heraldic Symposium

27 April 2018

On the Day of the State Flag of the Republic of Moldova, the day we also celebrate the state coat of arms of our country, the Society of Genealogy, Heraldry and Archives "Paul Gore", in a traditional partnership with the National Heraldry Commission by the President of the Republic of Moldova and the National Museum of History of Moldova organized the 12th Heraldic Symposium in the conference room of the museum, which was attended by around thirty scholars from the scientific community of Chișinău.

After the play of the Moldovan State Anthem and of the "Three Colors" (Ion Aldea-Teodorovici - Grigore Vieru), the opening speech was given by Silviu Tabac, President of the "Paul Gore" Society, followed by greeting messages by Corneliu Popovici, president of the National Heraldic Commission and by Elena Ploşnita, scientific secretary of the National Museum of History of Moldova.

With moderators Mariana Şlapac and Silviu Tabac, the symposium included the presentation of eight scientific papers. The first two speakers (Silviu Tabac and Vlad Mischevca) referred to the vexilology of Ștefan cel Mare. The next two participants (Ana Boldureanu and Adelaida Chiroşca) made a contribution in the field of sigilography presenting the leads in the collection of the National Museum of History of Moldova and two Basarabian ecclesiastical seals of the modern age respectively. Tudor-Radu Tiron (Bucharest) made a presentation about phaleristics in "An ephemeral Romanian distinction: The Medal for Life" (1953-1958)".

Nicolae Schițco remembered the events and the concrete conditions that led to the creation of the National Heraldic Commission. From the field of political hymnology, Diana Nicoglo spoke about the "Elements of ethnic identification in the text of the Gagauz Autonomous Territorial Unity". Finally, the representative of the National Bank of Moldova, Corneliu Melnic, presented the new metal coins introduced into circulation in the Republic of Moldova.

The works were conducted in a scientific atmosphere, rising questions, comments and collegial debates related to the discussed topics. Mass media support was provided by Nicolae Becciu, reporter at Radio-Moldova, and by the television channel "Accent-TV".

#Exhibit of the Month

Roman Bronze Situla (1st century BC – 2nd century AD)

The 12th Edition of the Heraldic Symposium

27 April 2018

#Exhibit of the Month