The exhibited necklace of beads originates from Funerary Complex No. 6 of Kurgan No. 4, excavated in 1982 by Dr. Habil. Eugen SAVA near the town of Taraclia. The beads were found in the chest area of the deceased, indicating that they had been worn as a necklace and had remained in their original position within the funerary assemblage. The necklace consists of 11 elements made entirely of Egyptian faience. Eight of the beads are spherical and decorated with vertical incisions forming between 14 and 21 raised ribs. Their diameters range from 13 to 20 mm. Two additional elements are scarab representations measuring 23.5 × 19.5 mm, while the final component is a flattened cylindrical pendant bead featuring a central vertical groove and measuring 22 × 9 mm. The objects range in color from light blue to dark blue and violet hues, reflecting the natural deterioration and glaze variations characteristic of Egyptian faience. Egyptian faience is an artificial quartz-based material coated with an alkaline glaze, typically blue or blue-green in color. It was widely used in Ancient Egypt and later spread throughout the Mediterranean and Pontic regions through trade networks. During the first centuries AD, such objects served as important indicators of cultural and economic contacts between the Mediterranean world and the communities of the North Pontic region. Owing to its typological, technological, and symbolic characteristics, the Taraclia necklace is an exceptionally valuable artifact for the study of intercultural relations, the circulation of prestige goods, and the funerary practices of the Sarmatian communities during the first centuries AD (1st-2nd centuries AD).
The destiny of woman in the history of Moldavia. Myths and realities about Catherine the Circassian – the second wife of the hospodar Vasile Lupu
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. VII [XXII], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
In this study the author came to some specific conclusions. In particular, it is safe to say that the marriage between Vasile Lupu and Catherine was far from accidental. As the sources of the era attest, all the details have been well thought out. Almost immediately after the death of his wife, Vasile Lupu sends the ambassadorial cortege to get his second wife, hence not respecting even the basic mourning traditions. One may also assume that perhaps in that situation government and political interests were high above his emotions. Vasile Lupu was an ambitious, far-sighted politician and a brilliant strategist. His plan was to expand the Moldovan boarders. He prepared his only son Ioan as future ruler of Wallachia. However, his plans failed after the son's death, and he was left without an heir. Vasile Lupu was well aware that he had to urgently resolve the dynastic crisis. He needed a young, strong and healthy wife, able to give birth to his heirs. The choice fell on Catherine the Circassian. How and under which circumstances this choice has been made remains an unsolved mystery. Unfortunately, we do not have any sources that could provide a reliable answer to this question. At the same time, we do not deny the well-known and hackneyed opinion in the historical literature that this marriage took place in a certain political context, for the Moldavian-Tatar mutual support in the political, military and economic spheres.
List of illustrations:
Fig. 1. Vasile Lupu, Catherine and their son Ştefan (Hlincea Monastery).
Fig. 2. Lady Catherine Cercheza (the Circassian), the second wife of Vasile Lupu (fresco in the Golia Church) (by Nicolescu 1970, pl. CXCIIIb).
Fig. 3. Maria Radziwiłł (daughter of Vasile Lupu) and Catherine, wife of Vasile Lupu (fresco in the Church of Trei Ierarhi, Iasi) (by Nicolescu 1970, pl. CCIII).
Fig. 4. Ioan, the son of Vasile Lupu (embroidery from the Church of Trei Ierarhi, Iași) (by Nicolescu 1970, pl. CXXXVIII).
Fig. 5. Lady Tudosca, the first wife of Vasile Lupu (fresco in the Church of the Trei Ierarhi, Iași) (by Nicolescu 1970, pl. CLXXIX).
Fig. 6. The Golia Church.
Lilia Zabolotnaia
Testament of Moldavian princess Maria (Lupu) Radziwill from 1659
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. XIII [XXVIII], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
Lilia Zabolotnaia
Marriage institution during middle ages: obstacles and prohibitions. Exploration of historical anthropology and comparative studies
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. V [XX], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
Лилия Заболотная
Dmitry Lazarevich Tumarkin: Labyrinths of Fate. Pages from the history of the outstanding medical dynasty of the Tumarkins
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. XV [XXX], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
Lilia Zabolotnaia
Helena Krasowska, The Polish Minority in South-Eastern Ukraine. Warsaw: Institute of Slavic Studies, Polish Academy of Sciences, 2017, 389 p. ISBN: 978-83-64031-65-6
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. XII [XXVII], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
Lilia Zabolotnaia, Sorin Iftimi
Portrait of Maria (Lupu) Radziwill in the works of the Polish painter Korneli Szlegiel (1851)
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. X [XXV], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
The exhibited necklace of beads originates from Funerary Complex No. 6 of Kurgan No. 4, excavated in 1982 by Dr. Habil. Eugen SAVA near the town of Taraclia. The beads were found in the chest area of the deceased, indicating that they had been worn as a necklace and had remained in their original position within the funerary assemblage...
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
