#Exhibit of the Month

In the dazzling world of precious stones and noble metals, certain jewelers stand out, mastering the art of harmonizing understated elegance with absolute refinement, genius with design, and sophistication with eternal, unforgettable splendor.
The name Fabergé, emblematic of originality and synonymous with the creations of a legendary house, has left an indelible mark on the history of jewelry and decorative arts. Renowned for uniting jewelry, artistic design, and utility into objets de luxe and objets de fantaisie, Fabergé's creations have always captivated with their exquisite craftsmanship. Fashioned from gold, silver, enamel, and precious stones, the pieces produced in Fabergé's workshops testify to exceptional virtuosity, marked by meticulous attention to detail and perfect material harmony. Even works inspired by earlier stylistic vocabularies bear the unmistakable mark of originality.

The National Museum of History of Moldova treasures a spectacular ladle, crafted in Fabergé's workshops in the late 19th century.
The Fabergé ladle is a curious blend of the "Russian style" and the "modern style." Made of solid silver, it features a circular, gold-plated bowl. Its raised, stylized handle (hook-shaped) is adorned with vegetal motifs, triple rings, and silver pearls. The rim is embellished with a wide band composed of rectangular medallions, decorated with spiral loops and stylized scales arranged alternately. The bowl is supported by four hemispherical feet. At the center, engraved inscriptions read: Eugenie von Platonow/St. Petersburg and ТОРГОВЫЙ ДОМЪ „АЛЕКСАНДРЪ"/1863/15/10/1913.
Research suggests that this ladle was commissioned by Alexander Trauberg, a first-guild merchant and owner of the "АЛЕКСАНДРЪ" Trading House located at Nevsky Boulevard 11, St. Petersburg. It was likely created to mark the 50th anniversary of his business in 1913.
The hallmark stamped on the base-Fabergé's K. ФАБЕРЖЕ logo surmounted by the Russian Empire's coat of arms, alongside the female profile in a kokoshnik within an oval frame, accompanied by the Greek letter Δ (delta) and the silver purity standard "88"-confirms that the piece was produced by Fabergé's Moscow branch.
The hypnotic charm of Fabergé's creations defined the aesthetic ideals of an era, embodying exuberance and refinement, crafted by a jeweler to kings and a king among jewelers.

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Archaeological research at the Mazarache church from Chisinau

July – October, 2010

During July – October, 2010 the archaeological expedition of the National Museum of Archaeology and History of Moldova carried out investigations near the Mazarache Church from Chisinau and in the cemetery adjacent to the site. In about 40 investigated graves together with other material able to shed light on the time periods when the cemetery was used (pottery, buttons, earrings, rings, etc.) there were found many coins attributed to the medieval and pre-modern times. At the same time, there were discovered a defensive ditch of the Early Iron Age, a cellar of the 17th – 18th centuries, and remnants of an aqueduct of the 19th century.

Being founded, apparently, in 1742, the Mazarache Church from Chisinau which is dedicated to the Intercession of the Virgin is considered to be the oldest church in the city and is built in the Moldavian style.

It should be mentioned that the archaeological investigations by the Mazarache Church have confirmed the information from written sources on the location of Chisinau (the Gospodar’s charter of July 17, 1436, which refers to Chesenaul of Acbas, and one of 1466 about the settlement of Chisinau near the Albisoara Fountain), and local tradition about the place of the old heart of the town that had been located in the immediate vicinity of the promontory, on which, perhaps, the oldest local church was built.

#Exhibit of the Month

Fabergé Ladle

Archaeological research at the Mazarache church from Chisinau

July – October, 2010

#Exhibit of the Month