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.
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
Two monetary treasures from the 16th and the 17th centuries from the collections of the NMAHM
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. III [XVIII], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
Adelaida Chiroșca
Medieval coins discovered at Soroca fortress
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. IV [XIX], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
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
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
17th c. coin hoard discovered in Ciocilteni village, Orhei district
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. II [XVII], 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.