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.
Fair trade in the towns Ismail, Reni and Chilia in the fi rst half of the 19th century
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. III [XVIII], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
In the given study one has brought into discussion the problem of fair trade evolution only in the south of Basarabia, in the town-ports Ismail, Reni and Chilia, in the first half of the 19th century. The fairs were organised twice a year – in autumn and spring, before the sowing and after the harvesting. These fairs were known as being manufactured, especially those from Ismail, which respectively had also a greater commercial circuit, a situation favoured by the territorial-administrative statute of the specific town, as well as river – ways much easier of access and more practical towards the port of Ismail. Along with the goods of import, of which the main role was played by those made of flax, hemp, wool, cotton and silk, within the fairs were also sold local goods, most of them agro-food ones - cereal, wine, honey, salt etc. The fairs from the towns Reni and Chilia attracted not only local tradesmen, but also foreign ones, from the Russian internal provinces and abroad.
The fair trade in the south of Basarabia, in the period under discussion, was influenced by the harvests volume, the growth in number of the markets and shops, the Russian commercial and custom-house policy, as well as the plague in year 1848 and in year 1855 and the war in Crimeea.
Maria Maftei
The economic situation in Cahul county during 30ies - 50ies of the 19th century
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. II [XVII], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
Maria Maftei
A survey of cereal trade in Bessarabia through the ports of Reni and Ismail in 1812-1856
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. I [XVI], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie Chișinău, 2007
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.
31 August 1989 St., 121 A, MD 2012, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
