This clay vessel was discovered in 1982 by archaeologist V. Sorochin during excavations of a burial mound (no. 1) located in the village of Speia, Dubăsari District. It originates from grave no. 5 and is dated to the 4th millennium BC, belonging to the Usatovo culture. The vessel was found in a child's grave. The burial pit had an oval shape, and the deceased was laid in a crouched position (similar to the fetal posture), on the left side. A total of five vessels were uncovered in this grave: three near the back, one at the feet, and one in the pelvic area. The cultural attribution of this funerary complex was determined based on the burial rite and grave goods. This culture is characterized by the specific construction of the burial pit, as well as the positioning and orientation of the deceased toward the east and northeast. The vessel is shaped from clay mixed with finely crushed shell. Its walls curve gradually toward the top, with the widest diameter at the shoulder area. It has a short neck, a slightly flared rim, and a flat base. The surface is carefully polished, in some areas to a lustrous finish. The interior is reddish-brown, while the exterior is yellowish-brown with gray spots. The rim features groups of perforations, three of which are preserved in their original state. The diameter of the holes is 0.35 cm. The space between the groups of perforations is decorated with cord impressions. The transition from the neck to the shoulder is adorned with three horizontal lines made with cord, from which, in five places, three vertical lines descend, each 5 cm long, executed using the same technique. At the time of discovery, these lines were filled with a white paste. The space between the groups of lines is decorated at the top with short vertical lines (0.5 cm long), and in the center with a meander ornament made of two parallel lines impressed with cord. The base of the vessel retains the imprint of a textile. Vessel dimensions: Height: 22 cm; Rim diameter: 15.7 cm; Maximum diameter: 22 cm; Base diameter: 10 cm.
The image of Our Lady of Hârbovăț from the collection of icons of the National Museum of History of Moldova
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. VII [XXII], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
The six icons from the collection of Marian icons from the National Museum of History of Moldova represent the image of Our Lady of Hârbovăț. Of these, three are large processional ones and the others are smaller, home icons. The techniques of their manufacture are different: from tempera and oil on wood and gilding with gold leaf to chasing the fish glue gesso and enamel paints. All these icons are Russian and Bessarabian and are dated from the end of the 19th and early 20th centuries.
As is known, the appearance of the icon of Our Lady of Hârbovăț in the monastery dates from the late 18th century and is connected with the name of a Russian officer Nikolai Albaduev. Sources indicate that it was a family heirloom, handed down from generation to generation. In the monastery it proved to be a miracle-working icon. Multiple copies of it have spread in Bessarabia and beyond, and soon the image has become widely known as the icon of Our Lady of Hârbovăț.
On April 17, 1859 the Holy Synod has recognized its miraculous properties and approved the requests of Chisinau residents, allowing annually, from October 1 to April 17, with a procession to transfer the icon of Our Lady of Hârbovăț from the monastery to Chișinău.
This image is of the Hodegetria type. The image of the Virgin is presented till the knees; she holds the Child on her left hand and points at him with her right hand. The Savior blesses with his right hand, and in his left hand he holds a scroll. Their heads are inclined to each other. The distinctive elements of this type of Marian iconography are the outstretched more than usual right arm of the Savior, his light shirt with a belt, sad face of the Virgin and floral decoration of her garments.
List of illustrations:
Fig. 1. Icon of Our Lady of Hârbovăț.
Fig. 2. Icon of Our Lady of Hârbovăț from the Ascension Monastery at the village of Japca, Florești District.
Fig. 3. Icon of Our Lady of Hârbovăț from the Noul Neamț Monastery of the Holy Ascension, Slobozia district.
Fig. 4. Icon of Our Lady of Hârbovăț from the village of Sârcova, Rezina District.
Fig. 5. Icon of Our Lady of Hârbovăț from the village of Sârcova, Rezina District.
Fig. 6. Icon of Our Lady of Hârbovăț from the Church of All Saints in the Armenian Cemetery in Chișinău.
Fig. 7. Icon of Our Lady of Hârbovăț from the Savior's Transfiguration Monastery in Bolgrad, Ukraine.
Fig. 8. Icon of Our Lady of Hârbovăț from the Archangel Michael Monastery in Odessa, Ukraine.
Fig. 9. Icon of Our Lady of Hârbovăț from the St. Paraskeva Church at Furatovka village, Odessa Region, Ukraine.
Fig. 10. Icon of Our Lady of Hârbovăț from the Cathedral of the Holy Great Martyr Theodore the Tyron in Chișinău.
Fig. 11. Icon of Our Lady of Hârbovăț from the Cathedral of the Holy Great Martyr Theodore the Tyron in Chișinău (painter Ioan Protcenco).
Fig. 12. Icon of Our Lady of Hârbovăț, from the Assumption Monastery at Hârbovăț.
Fig. 13. Icon of Our Lady of Hârbovăț, the NMHM collection (FB-22918-3).
Fig. 14. Icon of Our Lady of Hârbovăț, the NMHM collection (FB-22918-11).
Fig. 15. Icon of Our Lady of Hârbovăț, the NMHM collection (FB-22918-44).
Fig. 16. Icon of Our Lady of Hârbovăț, the NMHM collection (FB-22642).
Fig. 17. Icon of Our Lady of Hârbovăț, the NMHM collection (FB-14736).
Fig. 18. Icon of Our Lady of Hârbovăț, the NMHM collection (FB-1540).
Fig. 19. Icon of Our Lady "Il'inskaya Chernigovskaya" from the St. Trinity Monastery of St. Elijah in Chernihiv, Ukraine.
Fig. 20. Icon of Our Lady "Chernigovskaya Gefsimanskaya" from the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius, Sergiyev Posad, Russia.
Fig. 21. Icon of Our Lady of Trigorie from the Holy Transfiguration Monastery at the village of Trigorie, Ukraine.
Fig. 22. Icon of Our Lady of Barkolabovo from the Ascension Monastery at the village of Barkolabovo, Belarus.
Fig. 23. Icon of Our Lady of Lublin from the Monastery of the Miracle of Archangel Michael at Chonae (Chudov Monastery) in Moscow, Russia.
Fig. 24. Icon of Our Lady of Hârbovăț.
Fig. 25. Icon of Our Lady of Hârbovăț from the St. Vladimir's Cathedral in Kiev, Ukraine.
Adelaida Chiroșca
Icons of the Intercession in the collection of the National Museum of History of Moldova
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. VIII [XXIII], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
Ana Boldureanu, Adelaida Chiroșca, Elena Revenco
Medieval coin hoard of the 16th century from Parcani, Soroca District, Republic of Moldova
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. V [XX], nr. 1, Arheologie. Istorie Antică
Adelaida Chiroșca
The monk-painter Irenaeus Protcenco and his famous icon "Our Lady of Sorrows"
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. VI [XXI], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
Adelaida Chiroșca
Lockets with the image of the Holy Virgin from the collection of the National Museum of Archaeology and History of Moldova
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. I [XVI], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie Chișinău, 2007
Adelaida Chiroșca
Eucharistic icons of Jesus Christ in the collections of the National Museum of History of Moldova
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. X [XXV], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
This clay vessel was discovered in 1982 by archaeologist V. Sorochin during excavations of a burial mound (no. 1) located in the village of Speia, Dubăsari District. It originates from grave no. 5 and is dated to the 4th millennium BC, belonging to the Usatovo culture...
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
