In the dazzling world of precious stones and noble metals, certain jewelers stand out, mastering the art of harmonizing understated elegance with absolute refinement, genius with design, and sophistication with eternal, unforgettable splendor. The name Fabergé, emblematic of originality and synonymous with the creations of a legendary house, has left an indelible mark on the history of jewelry and decorative arts. Renowned for uniting jewelry, artistic design, and utility into objets de luxe and objets de fantaisie, Fabergé's creations have always captivated with their exquisite craftsmanship. Fashioned from gold, silver, enamel, and precious stones, the pieces produced in Fabergé's workshops testify to exceptional virtuosity, marked by meticulous attention to detail and perfect material harmony. Even works inspired by earlier stylistic vocabularies bear the unmistakable mark of originality.
The National Museum of History of Moldova treasures a spectacular ladle, crafted in Fabergé's workshops in the late 19th century. The Fabergé ladle is a curious blend of the "Russian style" and the "modern style." Made of solid silver, it features a circular, gold-plated bowl. Its raised, stylized handle (hook-shaped) is adorned with vegetal motifs, triple rings, and silver pearls. The rim is embellished with a wide band composed of rectangular medallions, decorated with spiral loops and stylized scales arranged alternately. The bowl is supported by four hemispherical feet. At the center, engraved inscriptions read: Eugenie von Platonow/St. Petersburg and ТОРГОВЫЙ ДОМЪ „АЛЕКСАНДРЪ"/1863/15/10/1913. Research suggests that this ladle was commissioned by Alexander Trauberg, a first-guild merchant and owner of the "АЛЕКСАНДРЪ" Trading House located at Nevsky Boulevard 11, St. Petersburg. It was likely created to mark the 50th anniversary of his business in 1913. The hallmark stamped on the base-Fabergé's K. ФАБЕРЖЕ logo surmounted by the Russian Empire's coat of arms, alongside the female profile in a kokoshnik within an oval frame, accompanied by the Greek letter Δ (delta) and the silver purity standard "88"-confirms that the piece was produced by Fabergé's Moscow branch. The hypnotic charm of Fabergé's creations defined the aesthetic ideals of an era, embodying exuberance and refinement, crafted by a jeweler to kings and a king among jewelers.
Influence of the Holy Mount Athos on the spiritual and cultural life of Moldova
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. I [XVI], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie Chișinău, 2007
The Holy Mount Athos was and remains an important spiritual centre of the Orthodox world, a place where „islands of sedateness and calmness, prayer, feast and ascetism flourish”, nicknamed as a „Mecca of Christians”. In the Middle Ages the Mount Athos contributed much to the spiritual and cultural life of Moldova. In particular this influence is detectable in ecclesiastical architecture, iconography, frescos, etc. After short visits to the Mount Athos Moldavian monks came back to Moldova where they founded or reorganized monastic life according to the rules of the Mount Athos. The Mount Athos style had a strong influence on the educational activity of Moldavian monasteries and on the monks who lived there. Thus, following the tradition of the Holy Mount, libraries were founded in monastic communities, and their scriptoria produced copies of ancient manuscripts and Christian books. This allowed collecting and preserving valuable historical and cultural documents, monuments of literature and art. It is very important that the Moldavian monks have brought home from the Holy Mount the doctrine of Hesychasm. Following the example of their Mount Athos counterparts they established communities in forests and mountains, which became centres of devotion, ascetism, and Hesychasm.
In the dazzling world of precious stones and noble metals, certain jewelers stand out, mastering the art of harmonizing understated elegance with absolute refinement, genius with design, and sophistication with eternal, unforgettable splendor...
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.