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 results of the archaeological investigations at the civil settlement Saharna „Dealul Mănăstirii” (2008 campaign)
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. III [XVIII], nr. 1, Arheologie. Istorie Antică
In this study are presented the results of the archaeological investigations at the early Hallstattian settlement Saharna „Dealul Mănăstitii”. The research at this site in 2008 were done at 2 sections: no. 4-5. The aim of these investigations was to study the ditch situated south of the defensive system of Saharna Mare fortress and which was found already in the past years. The result was the discovery of two hearths – complex 19-20, two dwellings – complexes 21, 26. The pits 16-19 and the ditch on a surface of 10 m were investigated. The material found in the closed complexes and the ditch have a cultural-chronologic attribution to Cozia-Saharna culture. The ditch explored on a length of 10 m and depth varying from 0,5 to 1,2 m was in fact an extension of the previously investigated ditch.
The result provided the possibility to establish that both its triangular form and the wide rim and narrow bottom represents nothing less than the traces of a wood chassis of a palisade. It is likely that the central and northern part of Saharna Mare promontory was initially strengthened with a palisade which included also the north-eastern part of „Dealul Mănăstirii” settlement. G.D. Smirnov, who had discovered for the first time this ditch, assumed that it was a supplementary defense ditch situated on a parallel line with the fortress wall and ditch.
In order to confirm whether the ditch was contemporary with the fortress’ fortification line, in the southern part of the fortress’ central bastion was traced the section no. 5. Although some material was discovered, the investigations of the cultural layer from the area have shown a complete lack of possible ruins of a known settlement. It means that the central bastion was built up after the abandonment of the first defense line of the site from Saharna Mare.
Ion Niculiță, Andrei Nicic
Funerary practices in the Early Iron Age site of Saharna-Dealul Mănăstirii
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. V [XX], nr. 1, Arheologie. Istorie Antică
Ion Niculiță, Andrei Nicic
Archaeological research conducted at the settlement Saharna-Dealul Mănăstirii
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. I [XVI], nr. 1, Arheologie. Istorie Antică
Ion Niculiță, Andrei Nicic
Archaeological research on the site of Saharna-Dealul Mănăstirii in 2011
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. VI [XXI], nr. 1, Arheologie. Istorie Antică
Andrei Nicic
Tudor Soroceanu, Die Kupfer- und Bronzedepots der frühen und mittleren Bronzezeit in Rumänien/ Depozitele de obiecte din cupru și bronz din România. Epoca timpurie și mijlocie a bronzului, 5 Archaeologia Romanica (Hrsg. R. Harhoiu, S. Hansen, C. Gaiu
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. VII [XXII], nr. 1, Arheologie. Istorie Antică
Andrei Corobcean
Archaeological vestiges of the 5th-3rd centuries BC in the Carpathian-Dniester region as a source of ethnic interpretation. Historiographical issues
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. VIII [XXIII], nr. 1, Arheologie. Istorie Antică
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.