German porcelain is highly prized among antique collectors for its exceptional material quality, originality, and the meticulous craftsmanship of its decorative design. The museum's collection preserves five figurines from one of the oldest porcelain manufactories in the Thuringia region of Germany - the statuary group known as *"The Musicians"*, crafted at the Volkstedt manufactory. These pieces entered the museum's holdings in 1991, acquired from a resident of Chișinău. With undeniable historical and artistic value, they bear the distinct imprint of the Rococo style. The Volkstedt manufactory has a long-standing tradition in producing figurines, including those depicting musicians. In 1760, Georg Heinrich Macheleid - inventor of hard-paste porcelain in Thuringia - founded a production workshop in Zitzendorf, which was relocated to Volkstedt in 1762. Macheleid led the manufactory until 1764. Over time, the factory changed ownership and management multiple times. Under the direction of Christian Nonne, it flourished between 1767 and 1797, a period marked by significant artistic development. Volkstedt began creating figurines that would later gain international recognition. It was during this flourishing period that the museum's porcelain statuettes, titled *"The Musicians"*, were produced. They depict five “putti”: four playing musical instruments (flute, mandolin, horn, and pipe), while the fifth conducts. Each figurine is entirely handcrafted - from modeling to painting - and delicately adorned with pastel tones and gilded details, capturing the playful movement and refined artistry of each musician. The base is made of mass-colored porcelain in a rare grey-green hue. The contrast between green, white, and gold accents lends the ensemble an unusually delicate appearance. These ornamental features are characteristic of the Rococo style, which emerged in France and is closely associated with the reign of King Louis XV. The mark applied to the figurines consists of two crossed forks, clearly rendered in underglaze blue, with slightly blurred paint - a detail that helps date their production. Because the crossed forks often resembled the crossed swords of the Meissen trademark, the Volkstedt manufactory was compelled to change its mark starting in 1787. Initially represented by a single fork, the mark briefly returned to two forks before being replaced in 1800 by the graphic symbol "R", referencing the town of Rudolstadt. Therefore, the brief period during which the two-fork mark was reinstated - and during which the museum's figurines were likely produced - is estimated to be between 1787 and 1800.
The statuettes range in height from 10 to 18 cm and are preserved in relatively good condition.
These late 18th-century German porcelain pieces, now on display, are exceptionally rare. They stand as true works of art by German craftsmen and serve as important historical testimonies to the evolution of porcelain manufacturing in Germany.
Jewish merchants' role in expanding trade relations between the Russian Empire and the Principality of Moldova in the late 18th and early 19th centuries
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. VIII [XXIII], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
The article highlights the importance of Jewish merchants’ activity in maintaining and expanding trade relations between the Russian Empire and the Principality of Moldova at the end of the 18th century and the beginning of the 19th century. Many of the Jews involved in the Moldavian-Russian economic relations constituted a separate privileged category in the socio-economic life of Moldavian towns. The predominance of Jews in the domestic market of Moldova was due to the fact that under the imperial decree of 1804 the Jews were granted the right to live in 15 provinces of western Russia. They held in their hands the most important branches of trade: grain, alcohol, salt etc. Despite the negative aspects of the Jewish merchants’ activities, which hampered the development of the Romanian national commercial bourgeoisie, it is undeniable that it had a positive impact on the development of local production.
Through their business activities, Jewish merchants played an important role in trade relations between the Moldovan principality and the Russian Empire. Although some of the representatives of this ethnic group were involved in smuggling and other illegal activities, the Jews contributed to the introduction of joint stock companies, especially insurance companies, and contributed greatly to the spread of securities. Due to their methods of making a profit, they unwittingly helped to modernize the forms of production and trade. And it is precisely the Jews spread in the Romanian environment the practice of lending money at interest and guarantees.
Irina Cereș
Impact of the high taxes imposed upon the population of Romanian principalities during the Russian-Turkish war of 1806-1812
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. V [XX], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
Irina Cereș
Aspects of economic relations between the Russian Empire and the Principality of Moldova in the late 18th - early 19th centuries
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. VII [XXII], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
Irina Cereș
The export of goods from the Principality of Moldova into the Russian Empire at end of the 18th century - the beginning of the 19th century
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. IX [XXIV], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie Chișinău, 2015
Irina Cereș
The role of the commercial bourgeoisie in the expansion of trade relations between the Russian Empire and the Principality of Moldova during the Russian-Turkish war of 1806-1812
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. VI [XXI], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
Irina Cereș
Imports from the Russian Empire into the Principality of Moldavia at the end of the 18th century - the beginning of the 19th century
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. X [XXV], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
German porcelain is highly prized among antique collectors for its exceptional material quality, originality, and the meticulous craftsmanship of its decorative design...
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
