#Exhibit of the Month

German porcelain is highly prized among antique collectors for its exceptional material quality, originality, and the meticulous craftsmanship of its decorative design.
The museum's collection preserves five figurines from one of the oldest porcelain manufactories in the Thuringia region of Germany - the statuary group known as *"The Musicians"*, crafted at the Volkstedt manufactory. These pieces entered the museum's holdings in 1991, acquired from a resident of Chișinău. With undeniable historical and artistic value, they bear the distinct imprint of the Rococo style.
The Volkstedt manufactory has a long-standing tradition in producing figurines, including those depicting musicians. In 1760, Georg Heinrich Macheleid - inventor of hard-paste porcelain in Thuringia - founded a production workshop in Zitzendorf, which was relocated to Volkstedt in 1762. Macheleid led the manufactory until 1764. Over time, the factory changed ownership and management multiple times. Under the direction of Christian Nonne, it flourished between 1767 and 1797, a period marked by significant artistic development. Volkstedt began creating figurines that would later gain international recognition.
It was during this flourishing period that the museum's porcelain statuettes, titled *"The Musicians"*, were produced. They depict five “putti”: four playing musical instruments (flute, mandolin, horn, and pipe), while the fifth conducts. Each figurine is entirely handcrafted - from modeling to painting - and delicately adorned with pastel tones and gilded details, capturing the playful movement and refined artistry of each musician. The base is made of mass-colored porcelain in a rare grey-green hue. The contrast between green, white, and gold accents lends the ensemble an unusually delicate appearance. These ornamental features are characteristic of the Rococo style, which emerged in France and is closely associated with the reign of King Louis XV.

The mark applied to the figurines consists of two crossed forks, clearly rendered in underglaze blue, with slightly blurred paint - a detail that helps date their production. Because the crossed forks often resembled the crossed swords of the Meissen trademark, the Volkstedt manufactory was compelled to change its mark starting in 1787. Initially represented by a single fork, the mark briefly returned to two forks before being replaced in 1800 by the graphic symbol "R", referencing the town of Rudolstadt. Therefore, the brief period during which the two-fork mark was reinstated - and during which the museum's figurines were likely produced - is estimated to be between 1787 and 1800.

The statuettes range in height from 10 to 18 cm and are preserved in relatively good condition.

These late 18th-century German porcelain pieces, now on display, are exceptionally rare. They stand as true works of art by German craftsmen and serve as important historical testimonies to the evolution of porcelain manufacturing in Germany.

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Publications

Library „Tyragetia"

Studies on Museology (II)

Series “Biblioteca “Tyragetia” XXIII, Chisinau, 2013. 228 p. ISBN 978-9975-80-765-4; 978-9975-80-766-1.

The volume Studii de muzeologie, II (Museology Studies, II) was officially launched at the end of December 2013 at the National Museum of History of Moldova in the context of a series of scientific and cultural events honoring its 30^th anniversary from foundation on December 21^st, 1983.

The volume appeared in the series Biblioteca „Tyragetia" XXIII (Library „Tyragetia" XXIII) with dr. hab. Eugen Sava and dr. Aurel Zanoci as coordinators, and dr. hab. Elena Ploșnița as responsible of edition. The graphical presentation was done by Ivan Litsiuk and Mihai Sava, the photography is authored by Iurie Foca, and the editing was ensured by Vlad Pohilă and Mariana Balan. The print was done at Bons Offices, on quality paper, on 17x25 format.

On the brown cover appears the museum coat of arms and on the back cover feature abstracts from reviews on the volume signed by dr. hab. Ion Niculiță and dr. Valentina Ursu. The summary includes important scientific contributions in the field of museolgy from the country and from abroad.

Beginning with a short preface signed by dr. hab. E. Sava, the volume has as starting point the Proposal for public policy regarding the modernization and streamlining of museum activities. In April 2012, the Ministry of Culture of Republic of Moldova created a working group who elaborated the project Public policies regarding streamlining museum activities from its subordination. After public debates, the project has been approved in July 2013 by the Inter-ministerial Committee for Strategic Planning from State Chancellery. Two options of the project are to be implemented starting with 2014. Option no. 2 is Management based on performance and development of museums business and educational competences and Option no.3 is Accreditation of collections management and funding of projects for collections development.

The value of this volume relies on the scientific authority of its authors. Among them is the patriarch of museology from contemporary Romania - prof. dr. Ioan Opriș, who presented the study Museographic realities and horizons in which he succeeded in motivating the realities of contemporary museology from Romania and in arguing the perspectives of museum institution evolution.

The study signed by Aurelia Cornețchi - Museum Night - a welcoming concept -surprises with richness of information. The author thinks that the cultural phenomenon Museum night has „revolutionized the museum institutions and has an extraordinary impact on the large public and is a phenomenon in full ascent"

The study made by Lucia Marinescu-Tonu puts to the forefront issues of heritage pedagogy which can contribute to the economic development, social cohesion and active citizenship.

Dr. hab. Elena Ploșnița in Museum heritage - a few lines of reflection and action highlights the need for development of museum institution's heritage based on proper scientific concepts, while the development of the museum itself should start from a management based on marketing policies and information technologies.

The study signed by Adelaida Chiroșca presents the show of an interesting collection - Sealing matrix from the heritage of the National Museum of History of Moldova.

Iurii Piatnițki dedicates a detailed study to the personality of Mihail Mihailovici Savostin, a well-known Russian collector from the end of 19^th-beginning of 20^th century.

Ann Nicholls proposes to the reader a presentation of the European Museum Academy which aims at attracting museographers and museum institutions from Republic of Moldova in the activity of this institution founded by European museographers on the occasion of the 10^th commemoration of the late curator Kenneth Hudson, based in Holland. The academy has the goal to stimulate museum thinking, support of museum research, stimulate pioneer ideas in museum practice etc.

Conceived as a consolidated volume, Studii de muzeologie incite and also inform, its publication being of absolute utility. Written in a clear and sober stile, it will certainly find an honored place among works specific to this field.

The study has a fair edition given the actual conditions. It is essential for this volume to be included in all specialized and public libraries.

We recommend with warmth this volume of studies which is goes in line with the tradition of museum research of the National Museum of History of Moldova.

Dr. hab. Elena Ploșnița