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.
Some reflections about the advertisement in Bessarabia (end of the 19th - beginning of the 20th centuries)
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. III [XVIII], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
The end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century is characterized by a considerable growth of the advertisement’s role in developing the trade and industry in many foreign countries. An increase of this process in Russia takes place during the democratic reforms implemented in the 60ies of the 19th century. The development of the advertisement in Bessarabia registers significant proportions. The public’s interest for certain goods, books, shows, services had been stirred and earned through posters, placards, panels, and, certainly, through the prints. The most spread ways of advertisement were: the street and printed publicity.
I will refer in this article only to some aspects of the organization and functioning of the Bessarabian advertisement system at the border of the centuries. It focuses firstly on the special institutions that were making advertisement – the publicity bureaus. The first bureau of publicity from Bessarabia was founded in 1889 by H. Iuliș and A. Bluștein. It was the only bureau of this profile from southern Russia.
Some painter workshops were making advertisement as well. Still, most of publicity was performed by the publishing houses. They were editing periodicals, which had the main role in promoting products and services on the Bessarabian market.
The editorial stuff of the publications turned into points of collecting ads; they were intermediaries between the producers and the costumers. The rubric „Anunțuri” (Advertisement) was present in most of the publishing programs. The commercial publicity became an important factor for the local periodical press’ financial stability. The advertisement played a part in the development of the press.
The advertisement made its contribution to a dynamic commercial and industrial activity in Bessarabia. It became a strong tool against the big competition predominating in the capitalist world.
Vera Serjant
Advertising factories, plants and warehouses in Bessarabian press (end of 19th - beginning of 20th centuries)
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. IV [XIX], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
Vera Serjant
The exhibition "Advertisements in Bessarabia"
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. X [XXV], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
Vera Serjant
Agricultural advertising in periodicals of the late 19th - early 20th centuries from the collection of NMHM
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. VII [XXII], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
Vera Serjant
Testimonies about the noble family Leviţki (Lewicki) in the collections of the National Museum of History of Moldova
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. XIII [XXVIII], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
Vera Serjant
Petru Ungurean – an outstanding figure in the field of viticulture and winemaking (on the collections of the National Museum of History of Moldova)
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. XV [XXX], 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.