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 legal framework of the circulation of Western European books in the Russian Empire (1721-1917)
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. VI [XXI], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
Our interest in the subject in question is a first step in developing of a catalog of Western European books from the collection of NMAHM in the pre-WWI period. The presence of a rich Western European book fund is an important sign of the level of integration of the population of Bessarabia in European culture and science in the process of Russification and transformation of the province into a Russian gubernia, it reflects the evolution of collective mentality, especially of the nobility and the intelligentsia. That is why the control over the importation of foreign publications was an important function of Russian censorship throughout the nineteenth century.
Based on researched documents we can say that during the covered period, in the Russian Empire the circulation of foreign books was a subject of a strict legislative control. In the control of circulation of foreign books in the Russian Empire, besides the censorship organs, an important role was given to customs institutions and legislation, which regulated the access points for books from abroad, and import duties. This control aimed at several objectives, in addition to that primary to limit the spread of liberal ideas, which could weaken the social, political and national basis of the state. The study of legislation on censorship, allows us to ascertain that for almost a century, between 1828-1917, foreign censorship methods and specific activity remained virtually unchanged. Up to its liquidation in 1917, it remained one of the most conservative organs of the state apparatus, even though the increasing number of foreign books that were reaching the Russian market strained on more and more, year by year, the resources of the committee of foreign censorship, not only through the work of censorship, but also that of preparation of numerous reports and correspondence.
Analyzing the Russian government censorship policy we came to the conclusion that it reflects the dual attitude of Russian autocracy on everything that was foreign. It sought to keep up with Western civilization, but at the same time, it was afraid of progressive ideas.
Andrei Emilciuc
The legal status of merchants without residence in the cities of Bessarabia and in Odessa (1812-1861)
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. III [XVIII], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
Andrei Emilciuc
Export of livestock from Bessarabia to the Habsburg Empire (1812-1861)
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. XV [XXX], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
Andrei Emilciuc
Preparation and implementation of the notarial reform of April 14, 1866 in Bessarabia
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. X [XXV], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
Andrei Emilciuc
Establishment and functioning of the public granaries in Bessarabia (1834-1856)
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. XIII [XXVIII], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
Andrei Emilciuc
Commercial navigation on the Dniester River (1812-1853)
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. II [XVII], 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
