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.
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. I [XVI], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie Chișinău, 2007
Starting with 1470 Ştefan cel Mare builds a new strategy in the security politics of the eastern border of Ţara Moldovei. In the context of this strategy a new place was reserved to the city-fortress Orhei which became the central element in the protection of these borders.
During this period Ştefan cel Mare established the administration of Orhei, which was governed in the next three decades by prominent persons of the time, members of Sfatul Domnesc (Prince’s Council): Radu Gangur, Galeș, Vlaicu with his son Duma, Grozea Micotici etc. Due to their high status they contributed to the growing role that the fortress from Răut had to play in the general defense policy of Ţara Moldovei.
Orhei was a natural fortress endowed with supplementary fortifications built at different stages of its evolution, including in the period of Ştefan cel Mare’s rule, when with the help of the governors were built new fortification or repaired the old ones. Three fortifications date from this period: two big earthen and wooden wallums blocking the entrance in the settlement from the west and a stone citadel situated in the central part of Orhei city.
An argument supporting the importance of Orhei fortress in the politics of the sovereign Ştefan cel Mare is the endowment of the fortress with fire artillery, fact which was documented archaeologically by the discovery of two splendid bronze canons.
A new stage begins in the history of the fortress from Răut after the year 1494, when the governors of Orhei ceased to be members of Sfatul Domnesc, fact that lead to its gradual degradation and abandonment by the middle of the 16th century.
Gheorghe Postică, Ion Tentiuc
The metal-weight economy in the Carpathian-Dniester area in the 9th-11th centuries (archaeological contributions)
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. XVIII [XXXIII], nr. 1, Arheologie. Istorie Antică
Gheorghe Postică, Ion Tentiuc
Early medieval bronze amulets representing horsemen from the Carpathian-Dniester region
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. VIII [XXIII], nr. 1, Arheologie. Istorie Antică
Gheorghe Postică
The early medieval spirituality in the Prut-Nistru space
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. II [XVII], nr. 1, Arheologie. Istorie Antică
Mariana Gugeanu, Gheorghe Postică
The research, preservation and restoration of textiles discovered during the archaeological excavations undertaken at the Căpriana Monastery
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. XIII [XXVIII], nr. 1, Arheologie. Istorie Antică
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.