The exhibit represents a fragment from a unique amphora discovered in 1988 in a ceramic kiln from the Chirileni III settlement (Sîngerei district), attributed to the Cucuteni-Tripolie archaeological culture stage CII (5th-4th millennia BC).
The ceramic fragment with painted human and geometric representations constitutes about 50% of the upper part of an amphora, made of clay paste without impurities. It is burned in an oxidizing environment, with a reddish color in the section. The inner surface of the vessel is covered with a pink-whitish color layer, and the smoothed and polished exterior is covered with a yellowish-gray engobe start. The body of the amphora is spheroidal with four pyramidal cakes on the shoulder, and the neck is high frustoconical with a short outwardly turned lip. The dimensions of the bowl: lip diameter - 18 cm; maximum body diameter - 43-45 cm; neck height - 13 cm; height of exposed fragment - 43 cm; the estimated total height of the vessel is 55-60 cm. Thickness at the lip - 6-7 mm, at the neck - 9-11 mm, and at the body - 10-13 mm.
The outer surface of the amphora in a proportion of about 4/5, except for the lower part, is bicolorly decorated with black and brown paint, the brush being used as a tool, which can be felt from the specific application of the lines. Two brushes were most likely used. The ornament is divided into three horizontal registers that surround the vessel dividing the interior into metopes. The decoration is composed of lines arranged vertically, horizontally or obliquely forming geometric compositions of the net type.
The special significance of the amphora resides in the representation in the middle register of the painting of the stylized scene of a female ritual dance. The scene painted on the body of the amphora represents the image of a group made up of 9 female characters assisted by two dogs and 3 snakes. The female images are represented schematically, with the emphasis on long legs, mini-trapezoidal skirts, short stretched bodies, folded dancing hands and pointed heads.
Vessels with painted anthropomorphic representations are very rare, being around 140 images of this kind known so far in the entire area of spread of the Cucuteni-Tripoli culture.
Based on the analysis of the shape of the vessel, the specific decoration and the context of the discovery, it can be admitted that the amphora from Chirileni belongs to the cult of the Mother Woman, the Great Goddess worshiped by the Eneolithic populations.
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
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
17th c. coin hoard discovered in Ciocilteni village, Orhei district
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. II [XVII], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
Adelaida Chiroșca
Medieval coins discovered at Soroca fortress
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. IV [XIX], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
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
The exhibit represents a fragment from a unique amphora discovered in 1988 in a ceramic kiln from the Chirileni III settlement (Sîngerei district), attributed to the Cucuteni-Tripolie archaeological culture stage CII (5th-4th millennia BC)...
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
