#Exhibit of the Month

The exhibit of the month for November is a rare glass goblet from the Sântana de Mureș-Chernyakhov cemetery, discovered in Tigheci. Dated to the second half of the 4th century AD, this remarkable artifact demonstrates the craftsmanship of the time, made from translucent greenish glass with a truncated cone shape and intricate geometric decoration. The goblet features three rows of hexagonal facets, framed by incised lines, and a row of elongated ovals under the rim, characteristics which classify it within Series VII A, according to E. Straume's classification. These ornamental traits hint at artistic influences from various regions and indicate the spread of technologies and ideas within the Sântana de Mureș-Chernyakhov culture.

Archaeological Context of the Discovery

The Sântana de Mureș-Chernyakhov cemetery at Tigheci is located in a historically complex area, positioned on the northwest slope of the Tigheci River, at the "La Lutărie" point. First identified in the 1980s following unauthorized clay extraction, the cemetery has suffered considerable damage, leading to the loss of valuable artifacts and the destruction of graves. Among the objects recovered by Mr. Ion Pușcașu, founder of the Museum of History and Ethnography in Tigheci, are wheel-thrown ceramic items reflecting the traditions and techniques of communities during the Migration Period.

The site was first archaeologically investigated in 1990, when a complete inhumation grave was found, though lacking any inventory. Subsequent surveys in 2013 and 2015 by the National Archaeological Agency revealed ongoing erosion damaging the cemetery, necessitating a rescue excavation in 2017. This campaign documented and investigated five graves from the Sântana de Mureș-Chernyakhov culture, including the skeletal remains of a male individual estimated to have been 40 to 45 years old at the time of death, offering additional insights into the demographic structure of this community.

Cultural Significance and Comparisons

The hexagonally faceted glass goblet is among the most valuable artifacts from the Tigheci cemetery. Similar goblets are characteristic of the Sântana de Mureș-Chernyakhov culture and have been found in notable sites such as Târgșor and Bârlad-Valea Seacă (Romania) and Gavrilovka, Ranjevoe (Ukraine), reflecting the cultural and trade connections of this community with other centers of influence in Late Antiquity. Ancient texts and cultural parallels suggest a complex interaction zone with Hellenistic and Roman influences, reflected in luxury goods production such as this glass goblet.

Virtual Tour

Exhibitions

“Shining Herend”

May 13th - July 13th, 2016

National Museum of History of Moldova, in collaboration with the Hungarian Embassy in Moldova and Herendi Porcelánmanufaktúra Zrt. (Porcelain Manufacture Herend A.S.) organized the exhibition-event „Herend Glow" on the occasion of the International Museum Day held under the patronage of the Ministry of Culture of Moldova.

Over 600 Herend brand porcelain objects were displayed in two exhibition rooms on the ground floor of the museum. The exhibition opening, held on May 13, was attended by a large audience with H.E. Mátyás Szilágyi, Hungarian Ambassador to Moldova; Monica Babuc, Minister of Culture of the Republic of Moldova and dr. hab. Eugen Sava, general director of the National Museum of History of Moldova, who spoke words of greeting. The painter decorator Magyarosi Zoltan from Herend Manufacture offered a master class on painting on porcelain.

The exhibition of porcelain from the largest factory in the world that celebrates 190 years since its foundation contains a valuable selection of unique hand painted items belonging to the Hungarian cultural heritage. The vast collection brought to Chișinău for the first time provides a suggestive overview of the techniques and technologies specific to the Herend porcelain art making process, with an illustration of their amazing variety of objects. The exhibits present a great variety of shapes and decoration objects made of porcelain and a refined aesthetic taste of Herend products. Besides the most popular shapes and decorative elements specific to Herend models, in the exhibition were included also other "treasures" that are the pride of Herend manufacture, i.e. pieces showing bravery and professional prestige objects that make a demonstration of an outstanding technical virtuosity. Being part of the European and Hungarian cultural heritage, the porcelain manufactured at Herend has become immutable with the passing of time, a cultural creation of priceless value.

Short history of the Porcelain Manufacture form Herend

At a distance of about 1,000 kilometers, in Hungary, near Lake Balaton - the largest lake in Central Europe - is situated a small town, Herend, where in the last 190 years are being produced the finest items of porcelain in the world. This name is entirely associated with manual painting, perfection, tradition and innovation. It took a long way to achieve this.

Possession of porcelain objects in the nineteenth century was an exclusive privilege of the aristocracy. The delicate and precious Chinese porcelain, which had been known in Europe through imports made on the Silk Road the route, made a great impact on Mór Fischer, head of the artisan manufacture from Herend at that time. He was a man of a fine sense of artistry who achieved to replicate with detail the unmistakable quality of the refined import products. The small manufacture, founded in 1826 by Stingl Vince, continued to develop under his leadership. In 1842, Lajos Kossuth himself, the hero of the Hungarian independence revolution from 1848 to 1849, highly appreciated the porcelain manufactured at Herend. Shortly, the factory reached international success: at the first world exhibition held in London in 1851, Queen Victoria was very impressed with the models with peonies and playful butterflies that she commissioned a large set decorated with those ornaments. The most famous model of Herend manufacture "Victoria" was then created in memory of this event. The set is on display at the exhibition hosted by National Museum of History of Moldova.

Over the years, the porcelain manufactured at Herend became a delight of royals across the world, which showed respect and appreciation for the charm of the inimitable and sumptuous work. Beginning with the first touch of raw materials to the last brush line, the birth and decoration of the Herend porcelain is a special celebration of art, a celebration of the "craft" of the creative man.

Today, with a history of 190 years from foundation and rich experience, the Porcelain Factory from Herend produces already 16.000 different models and around 4.000 ornamental motifs, whose free combination can bring endless variations. The manufacture's primary purpose is preserving traditions and cultural heritage to be passed on to future generations, creating new values that enchant the eye.

Since 2001, the Herend Manufacture is part of the Hungarian heritage. The brand is synonym of quality, luxury and elegance.

Promotion of Herend porcelain as national Hungarian value is part of the manufacture's cultural mission, for this purpose numerous exhibitions have been organised both in Hungary and in other countries around the world (Austria, Switzerland, Russia, Japan, Romania, Slovenia etc).

In 2006, according to a survey conducted by the Luxury Institute in New York, the most popular porcelain brand on the US market is Herend. An act of recognition for the Herend Porcelain Manufacture was the membership as of 2011 in the French Association "Comité Colbert". Since 2013, Herend porcelain has become the brand "Hungarikum". These Hungarian and international recognitions confirms the successful promotion of Herend porcelain as national and international value.

We invite you to the first exhibition of masterpieces signed by Herend organised in Moldova. Herend porcelain will glow in all its splendour in Chișinău, in a vast and exclusive presentation.

Join the "Shining Herend"!