Porcelain is a material that has sparked great interest throughout history, and its production has been a true challenge. Also known as "white gold," porcelain is a white, translucent ceramic material obtained by firing a paste of kaolin, quartz, and feldspar, along with other additives, at high temperatures. It was first discovered and used in China. The first Chinese porcelain objects arrived in Europe in the 13th century, but a broader spread of Chinese porcelain on the European continent is recorded in the 17th century. The technology for producing porcelain was kept a secret by the Chinese for a very long time.
The first hard-paste porcelain manufactory in Europe, located in the city of Meissen, was established in 1710 due to discoveries in porcelain production made by Saxon mathematician and physicist Ehrenfried Walter von Tschirnhaus (1661-1708), which were put into practice by the royal court alchemist Johann Friedrich Böttger (1682-1718). He invented the glaze and achieved the complete fusion of the shard and the glaze. The Meissen factory, still operational today, has created and continues to create a vast range of porcelain products. Crafted by the finest artists, sculptors, and engravers, who use unique hand-painted colors and exclusive designs, Meissen products are of exceptional quality and elegance, enjoying worldwide fame.
The tea set, partially consisting of seven pieces (teapot, milk jug, sugar bowl, and two cups with saucers), displayed in this showcase, is a product of the famous Meissen factory in the Kingdom of Saxony, Germany. It was crafted in the first half of the 19th century from high-quality porcelain. The exhibit became part of the collection of the National Museum of History of Moldova through a transfer from the "G. Cotovschi" Memorial House in Hâncești, which was closed in 1989-1990.
The decoration of these pieces is remarkable, featuring hand-painted "German flowers," one of the well-known styles of floral and plant decoration practiced by Meissen craftsmen since the 18th century. They were influenced by Chinese porcelain, which was often adorned with images of flowers and fruits. A distinctive feature of this decorative style was the "scattered flowers" arrangement, where floral elements were placed as individual blossoms or bouquets across the surface of porcelain objects.
The marking on the underside of the pieces consists of two crossed swords, elements borrowed from the coat of arms of the Kingdom of Saxony, applied by hand with cobalt paint under the glaze. With slight variations in the representation of the swords, this mark has been used since 1722 and continues to the present day. The mark on this tea set is characterized by prominent dots on the crossed swords, a feature used at the Meissen factory between 1815 and 1860.
The polychrome floral painting, gilding, and the application of a rosebud on the lids of the teapot and sugar bowl lend a sublime delicacy to these pieces, making them rare and exquisite.
Moments of reference from the activity of the National Museum of Archaeology and History of Moldova
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. III [XVIII], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
The article is consecrated to the 25th anniversary from the creation of the National Museum of Archaeology and History of Moldova. The author determines three distinct periods in the 25 years of museum evolution: – 1983-1991, the period of functional organization and heritage collection formed on a periodization of exclusively Marxist type; – 1992-2005, the period of museum democratization during which are defined the educational and research issues and the development of heritage; – 2006 – marked the beginning of a new period of deep conceptual change of the museum, of defining the museums’ mission.
Each period forwards certain tasks, resolves certain museum problems and shows different particularities in the museum development as a cultural-scientific institution. Important in the evolution of the museum were and remain the issues referring to the development of the heritage, the relation and the interaction of the history museum with the historical science, with the forms of scientific results valorization in the museum. Instead of conclusions are presented the museum modernization expectations at the beginning of the 21st century, among which:
– the permanent involvement of research in underlying museum actions (exhibitions, cultural activities, education, conservation, restoration);
– application of the research results – orienting mostly toward applied research;
– establishing research partnerships within European programs;
– diversifying cultural programs on marketing analysis;
– opening towards global informational integration;
– a well defined museum management and marketing policy.
Elena Ploșnița
Some considerations regarding the designing of a permanent exposition of the history museum
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. II [XVII], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
Elena Ploșnița
The Country House of the Lazo Family at Piatra. Guidelines for the museumification
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. XI [XXVI], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
Elena Ploșnița
Anniversary celebrations at the National Museum of History
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. VIII [XXIII], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
Elena Ploșnița
On the strategy of development of museums in the Republic of Moldova
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. VI [XXI], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
Elena Ploșnița, Tatiana Buianina
The cost of a visit to the museum: Analysis of a survey
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. VIII [XXIII], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
Porcelain is a material that has sparked great interest throughout history, and its production has been a true challenge. Also known as "white gold," porcelain is a white, translucent ceramic material obtained by firing a paste of kaolin, quartz, and feldspar, along with other additives, at high temperatures...
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.