Buckles (paftale) are an almost indispensable element of traditional women's dress in the Southeastern European area, particularly in the Balkans, and have been in use over a long period, from the 14th to the 20th century. The word pafta is of Turkic origin-possibly entering the language via Iranian influence-derived from the Persian word bafta, meaning "woven," which evolved in Turkish to signify "plate." Today, the term is used in nearly identical forms in Romanian (pafta), Bulgarian (пафта), Serbian (пафте), and some Aromanian dialects (pafta), designating functional and ornamental clothing accessories used to fasten belts, girdles, or sashes, crafted from various materials and decorated using different techniques. The three buckles decorated in the polychrome enamel technique, preserved in the collection of the National Museum of History of Moldova, belong to the South-Danubian tradition and are dated to the late 19th - early 20th century.
Each buckle consists of two identical trapezoidal parts, their surfaces divided into three roughly equal registers, adorned with stylized vegetal motifs forming a metal lattice into which enamel is poured. The two parts extend into sharp angles at the ends, forming a triangle with the edge of the last decorative register, similarly ornamented. The enamel used to fill the floral motifs is black, turquoise, white, orange, green, yellow, and burgundy. The entire decorative field is framed by a beaded border.
On the reverse, both components retain a copper band riveted along the edge, used to fasten the ends of the belt. The fastening system, made by interlocking the hinges of the two parts and secured with a movable pin attached by a chain to a clasp fixed on one of the buckle pieces, is concealed by a rectangular plate (riveted with three pins to the body of the piece), with narrow edges ending in sharp angles, decorated in the same style and technique. Additionally, it features three circular settings with notched edges bent inward to hold centrally placed red and green glass paste. These settings are framed by a radiant, notched band.
The symbolism of the color palette encodes meanings and symbols, chosen for their believed magical powers. Red has always represented love, affection, and protection against curses and the evil eye; white symbolizes purity and spiritual and physical cleanliness; blue is symbolically associated with infinity, morning, new beginnings, and transformation; green represents destiny, hope, prosperity, balance, and rebirth, being linked to nature's revival each spring and to life itself.
The military fortification from Semeni village: „Petru cel Mare’s table”
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. III [XVIII], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
The author tries to find a proper answer for the question of the late military entrenchment situated on the bank of river Prut, on the North of Semeni village (Ungheni).
According to some historians statements, it represents so called „table” where took place the meeting of the Moldovian reigning D. Cantemir and Russian tzar Petru the Great in 1711 summer, during the well-known Prut Campaign.
Such opinion as this one was wrongly and exageratly exploited in the soviet time in order to give rise to some ideological assumptions.
Beginning with 2001, the subject was brought again into attention, focusing on the idea of installing a monument in that place.
Continuing to investigate and to consult the historical sources of that time, the author makes the conclusion that the meeting place of the two dignitaries was the old settlement Tutora, but the origins of the entrenchment in Semeni could have totally others work circumstances, frequently present in the region in the XVII-XVIII centuries.
Vasile Iucal
Some considerations on the age and origin of name in light Ungheni written documents
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. V [XX], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
Vasile Iucal
Exposing the myth: construction of the railway bridge across the Prut River in Ungheni
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. XIII [XXVIII], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
Buckles (paftale) are an almost indispensable element of traditional women's dress in the Southeastern European area, particularly in the Balkans, and have been in use over a long period, from the 14th to the 20th century....
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
