The exhibit represents a fragment from a unique amphora discovered in 1988 in a ceramic kiln from the Chirileni III settlement (Sîngerei district), attributed to the Cucuteni-Tripolie archaeological culture stage CII (5th-4th millennia BC).
The ceramic fragment with painted human and geometric representations constitutes about 50% of the upper part of an amphora, made of clay paste without impurities. It is burned in an oxidizing environment, with a reddish color in the section. The inner surface of the vessel is covered with a pink-whitish color layer, and the smoothed and polished exterior is covered with a yellowish-gray engobe start. The body of the amphora is spheroidal with four pyramidal cakes on the shoulder, and the neck is high frustoconical with a short outwardly turned lip. The dimensions of the bowl: lip diameter - 18 cm; maximum body diameter - 43-45 cm; neck height - 13 cm; height of exposed fragment - 43 cm; the estimated total height of the vessel is 55-60 cm. Thickness at the lip - 6-7 mm, at the neck - 9-11 mm, and at the body - 10-13 mm.
The outer surface of the amphora in a proportion of about 4/5, except for the lower part, is bicolorly decorated with black and brown paint, the brush being used as a tool, which can be felt from the specific application of the lines. Two brushes were most likely used. The ornament is divided into three horizontal registers that surround the vessel dividing the interior into metopes. The decoration is composed of lines arranged vertically, horizontally or obliquely forming geometric compositions of the net type.
The special significance of the amphora resides in the representation in the middle register of the painting of the stylized scene of a female ritual dance. The scene painted on the body of the amphora represents the image of a group made up of 9 female characters assisted by two dogs and 3 snakes. The female images are represented schematically, with the emphasis on long legs, mini-trapezoidal skirts, short stretched bodies, folded dancing hands and pointed heads.
Vessels with painted anthropomorphic representations are very rare, being around 140 images of this kind known so far in the entire area of spread of the Cucuteni-Tripoli culture.
Based on the analysis of the shape of the vessel, the specific decoration and the context of the discovery, it can be admitted that the amphora from Chirileni belongs to the cult of the Mother Woman, the Great Goddess worshiped by the Eneolithic populations.
About changes in the mentality of the Bessarabian nobility during 1830-1840s
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. V [XX], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
This article, based on archival documents and monographic studies, discusses the question of the changes which have occurred in the mentality of Bessarabian nobles after the abolition of autonomy that had been granted to Bessarabia in 1818.
In 1828 the Russian government abolished all administrative privileges which had been granted to Bessarabia. Russian legislation was extended to all economic, political, administrative, judicial, and fiscal institutions. In 1873 Bessarabia became a Russian province, administrated mostly by officials of foreign origin. Thus, the local nobles began to lose some of their former rights, privileges and functions. It is for this reason that in 1828-1830 some of the nobles, who previously had held administrative positions in Bessarabia, moved away to Moldova.
Since 1830s some changes occur in the way of thinking, customs, traditions, and behavior of the Bessarabian people, in the mentality of the local aristocracy. These changes can be explained by the influence the regime, relations with the Russian military and civil officials, the desire of the nobles to get for their children places in government institutions or in the army, etc. All this pushed the representatives of the higher layer of the Bessarabian society to the more stable and close connections with the Russian nobility, to the Russian lifestyle. Members of the noble families took the example of the Governor’s family, trying to copy the behavior, style of dress, etc. So, new generations in Bessarabia were born and educated under the influence of the Russian spirit.
The Bessarabian nobility was formally considered to be loyal to the tsar and the Empire. It should be noted that those who obeyed the tsar were speaking foreign languages: Russians, Ukrainians, Poles, Germans, etc. Thus, the socio-political situation in Bessarabia during 1830-1840s influenced the mentality of the Bessarabian nobility.
Valentin Tomuleț, Cristina Gherasim
Some considerations on factors that generated mentality shifts of the landlords in Bessarabia under tsarist domination (1812-1817)
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. IV [XIX], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
Cristina Gherasim
L’identité sociale au milieu de la noblesse de la Bessarabie dans le XIX-ème siècle
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. XI [XXVI], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
Cristina Gherasim
Confirmation of the titles of nobility by Bessarabian nobles in the first half of the 19th century: The noble family of Frunzetti (Frunză)
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. VII [XXII], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
Cristina Gherasim
Aspects of influence of the tsarist legislation on the status of the Bessarabian nobility in the 1st half of the 19th century
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. X [XXV], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
Cristina Gherasim
Aspects of teaching children of the Bessarabian nobility within the educational system of the Russian Empire
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. IX [XXIV], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie Chișinău, 2015
The exhibit represents a fragment from a unique amphora discovered in 1988 in a ceramic kiln from the Chirileni III settlement (Sîngerei district), attributed to the Cucuteni-Tripolie archaeological culture stage CII (5th-4th millennia BC)...
The National Museum of History of Moldova takes place among the most significant museum institutions of the Republic of Moldova, in terms of both its collection and scientific reputation.
The National Museum of History of Moldova takes place among the most significant museum institutions of the Republic of Moldova, in terms of both its collection and scientific reputation.
The National Museum of History of Moldova takes place among the most significant museum institutions of the Republic of Moldova, in terms of both its collection and scientific reputation.