We find ourselves in the month of April, as we prepare to celebrate Easter-a moveable religious holiday rich in festive rituals and ceremonial activities that place this event at the very heart of Christian spiritual life. The spirit of the Resurrection is beautifully complemented by ten Easter-themed postcards from the heritage of the National Museum of History of Moldova, printed a century ago. These pieces were added to the museum's postcard collection over a decade ago following a successful acquisition; as the fund for Easter-themed illustrations is modest, we are in a constant search for new additions.
These postcards are "extraordinary" in terms of their postal, typographical, and chromatic effects-the primary reason for revisiting this genre of greetings. Unlike "classic" postcards, these are smaller in size (6.5 cm x 11 cm), made of cardboard (with the exception of one piece made of photographic paper in black and white), and feature "vivid" colors. Printed in Romania and Germany, they bear the marks of having been sent and circulated through the post.
The name of the holiday originates from the verb persach, meaning "to pass," a term adopted by the Jews from the Egyptians. It entered the Romanian language through the Byzantine-Latin form Paschae, signifying the "passage through death to life, the victory of life, and liberation from the bondage of sin." Easter is a holiday of tolerance and forgiveness, representing a bridge between the present and the past. The significance of this celebration is conveyed through its symbols, which are also featured on these postcards: Hand-painted eggs, the Easter Bunny and the Lamb, traditional sweet breads (cozonac and pască), biblical scenes related to the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The Easter table also features pască-a ritual food reminiscent of ancient, bloodless "reconciliation" sacrifices. Its preparation is the exclusive task of women, the givers of life, as the leavened dough is considered "alive."
The most significant component of the Easter holiday, however, is the Light. The Ceremony of the Holy Light is associated with the miracle of the light appearing on Easter Sunday at Christ's Tomb in Jerusalem. The candle, often depicted in these images, carries a powerful message; it is with the Resurrection candle that we return home after the midnight religious service. Furthermore, the Easter Bunny represents the rebirth of nature, so eagerly awaited after a harsh winter.
Unlike Christmas, when the announcement and ritual integration of the community into sacred time was the duty of caroling groups, at Easter, "one does not go from house to house." Instead, the ritual meal is organized within each family, symbolizing a direct communion with God.
Artistic processing of metal in the Dniester-Prut interfluve. Typology of articles made by local jewelers
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. VI [XXI], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
Preceding studies on the origin and evolution of jewelry in Moldova have considerably expanded the area of our research, opening up new possibilities for the investigation. The aim of this study is to show the place and role of artistic metalworking techniques in Bessarabia of the 19th century, characterization and determination of the types of objects created using these techniques, and giving some examples, which illustrate them.
It should be noted that the discovery of physical and chemical properties of metals led to the emergence and development of methods of artistic processing of metals, which have evolved over the centuries. Some of them were eventually rarely used and were replaced by complicated professional technologies. Among the most claimed and, therefore, popular methods of metal processing one can name such techniques as casting, engraving, filigree, forg- ing, artistic enameling, etc. List of illustrations: Fig. 1. A. Marco. Bracelet “Memories”. Silver, carnelian. Russian Arts Fund. Fig. 2. Men’s ring. Gold, cubic zirconia. Chișinău Jewelry Factory „Giuvaier”. Fig. 3. Gh. Cojușnean. Signet ring. Silver, smoky quartz. Private collection. Fig. 4. A. Marco. Necklace. Silver, brass, semi-precious stones. Fig. 5. Gh.Cojușnean. Bell tower of the Cathedral of Chisinau. Private collection. Fig. 6. Gh. Cojușnean. Decorative wrought-iron grille. Sketch. Private collection. Fig. 7. Gh. Cojușnean. Jewelry . Collection of the National Museum of Archaeology and History of Moldova). Fig. 8. Lantern in the courtyard of the Bocancea Monastery.
Liliana Condraticova
L’atelier d’orfévrerie du Chisinau dans les 1966-1972 année
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. III [XVIII], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
Liliana Condraticova
L’activité des orfévres de Moldova pendant les années ’70-’80 du XX-ém siécle (l’activité de la Fabrique de Bijoux de Chișinău)
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. IV [XIX], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
Liliana Condraticova
Archival documents as a source for the research of jewelry for church use
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. VIII [XXIII], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
Лилиана Кондратикова
Le rôle et le place de femme-joaillerie dans l’évolution de l’art décorative du Moldova (1960-1990)
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. V [XX], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
Liliana Condraticova
Ion Xenofontov, Războiul din Afghanistan (1979-1989) în memoria participanților din Republica Moldova. Realitatea istorică și imaginarul social. Iași: Lumen, 2010, 544 p.
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. V [XX], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
We find ourselves in the month of April, as we prepare to celebrate Easter-a moveable religious holiday rich in festive rituals and ceremonial activities that place this event at the very heart of Christian spiritual life...
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.