Buckles (paftale) are an almost indispensable element of traditional women's dress in the Southeastern European area, particularly in the Balkans, and have been in use over a long period, from the 14th to the 20th century. The word pafta is of Turkic origin-possibly entering the language via Iranian influence-derived from the Persian word bafta, meaning "woven," which evolved in Turkish to signify "plate." Today, the term is used in nearly identical forms in Romanian (pafta), Bulgarian (пафта), Serbian (пафте), and some Aromanian dialects (pafta), designating functional and ornamental clothing accessories used to fasten belts, girdles, or sashes, crafted from various materials and decorated using different techniques. The three buckles decorated in the polychrome enamel technique, preserved in the collection of the National Museum of History of Moldova, belong to the South-Danubian tradition and are dated to the late 19th - early 20th century.
Each buckle consists of two identical trapezoidal parts, their surfaces divided into three roughly equal registers, adorned with stylized vegetal motifs forming a metal lattice into which enamel is poured. The two parts extend into sharp angles at the ends, forming a triangle with the edge of the last decorative register, similarly ornamented. The enamel used to fill the floral motifs is black, turquoise, white, orange, green, yellow, and burgundy. The entire decorative field is framed by a beaded border.
On the reverse, both components retain a copper band riveted along the edge, used to fasten the ends of the belt. The fastening system, made by interlocking the hinges of the two parts and secured with a movable pin attached by a chain to a clasp fixed on one of the buckle pieces, is concealed by a rectangular plate (riveted with three pins to the body of the piece), with narrow edges ending in sharp angles, decorated in the same style and technique. Additionally, it features three circular settings with notched edges bent inward to hold centrally placed red and green glass paste. These settings are framed by a radiant, notched band.
The symbolism of the color palette encodes meanings and symbols, chosen for their believed magical powers. Red has always represented love, affection, and protection against curses and the evil eye; white symbolizes purity and spiritual and physical cleanliness; blue is symbolically associated with infinity, morning, new beginnings, and transformation; green represents destiny, hope, prosperity, balance, and rebirth, being linked to nature's revival each spring and to life itself.
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. III [XVIII], nr. 1, Arheologie. Istorie Antică
In the summer of 2008 as part of the rescue excavations near the village Hârtopul Mare, Criuleni district, was investigated a flat grave done by inhumation from the 13th-14th centuries. The burial was discovered in the immediate vicinity of the place called by the local inhabitants „La Şanț” where were attested a Getae fortress and a medieval settlement from the 11th-12th centuries.
In a pit of a rectangular shape with rounded corners, at the depth of 0,5 m has been investigated the remains of an individual of 20-25 years old, east-north-east head oriented, laying on the back, with the legs and right hand stretched, the hand of the left arm placed on the basin bones. At the right temple was found a bronze earring question mark shaped, and between the bones of the left arm and the bones of the thorax had an iron handle with a flint piece. Under the left knee was discovered an iron arrow point, and near the right leg, under the knee – a battle axe and the remains of a closure with iron tag. The analysis of the funerary rite features and inventory places the grave in the chronological diapason of the 13th-14th centuries and attributes it to the late nomads. It finds analogies on the territory of the Republic of Moldova among the flat graves from Hansca-Limbari and Mateuți-Şcoala nouă. The grave is part probably of a flat necropolis which’s presence near the fortress „La Şanț” has been pointed out by the inhabitants of the village and by the researchers.
Иван Власенко
Late residential compounds of the early medieval settlement Rudi
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. II [XVII], nr. 1, Arheologie. Istorie Antică
Иван Власенко
Defensive system of citadel Mereșeuca-Cetățuie
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. IV [XIX], nr. 1, Arheologie. Istorie Antică
Вячеслав М. Бикбаев
Petreni “Towers” (from archaeological interpretation of aerial photographs to reconstruction of the Cucuteni-Tripolye settlements life)
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. I [XVI], nr. 1, Arheologie. Istorie Antică
Иван Власенко
Early medieval bone handles of knives with annular notches as one of the possible signs of ethnic attribution of the Tivertsi
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. XIII [XXVIII], nr. 1, Arheologie. Istorie Antică
Иван Власенко
The results of archaeological exploration in central and northern regions of the Republic of Moldova
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. VI [XXI], nr. 1, Arheologie. Istorie Antică
Buckles (paftale) are an almost indispensable element of traditional women's dress in the Southeastern European area, particularly in the Balkans, and have been in use over a long period, from the 14th to the 20th century....
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.
31 August 1989 St., 121 A, MD 2012, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
