#Exhibit of the Month

The Roman bronze situla comes from a collection of archaeological artifacts confiscated at customs and transferred to the holdings of the National Museum of History of Moldova in 2009. Its place of discovery remains unknown.

A situla (Latin for "bucket") is a metal vessel-usually made of bronze-shaped like a pail and equipped with two movable handles at the top, traditionally used for mixing wine with water. The handles are attached to the vessel via two decorated ears that are welded to the rim.

The body of the situla is truncated-conical in shape and features two decorative bands with small circular patterns formed by hammering, located just below the rim.

Its base is double-layered: the inner bottom is hemispherical and hammered, while the outer bottom is flat and lathe-made. The outer base is welded to the inner bottom, serving as the vessel's foot-support.

This object was crafted using a combination of casting, hammering, and partial lathe-finishing. Dimensions: Maximum height - 31.7 cm; Maximum diameter - 22.8 cm; Base diameter - 13.5 cm

Situlae of this type originated in the Roman Empire and were later adopted by various ancient peoples, including those from the northwestern Pontic region.

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Events Archive

Symposium of Heraldry (11th Edition)

April 27, 2017

On April 27th, 2017, on the Day of the State Flag of the Republic of Moldova, in the conference room on the ground floor of the National Museum of History of Moldova was held the 11th edition of the Symposium of Heraldry. The scientific event was organized by „Paul Gore" Society of Genealogy, Heraldry and Archives in collaboration with the National Heraldic Commission by the President of the Republic of Moldova and the National Museum of History of Moldova.

The symposium focused on topics such as:
- historical evolution of heraldry, vexillology, political hymnology, sigillography, phaleristics and national uniformology;
- theoretical and practical aspects of the study of heraldry, vexillology, political hymnology, sigillography, phaleristics and uniformology;
- issues of numismatic, genealogical, epigraphic, ethnographic, and semiotic symbolism, with topics close to the scientific purpose of the symposium.

Five scientific papers were presented at the symposium: dr. Silviu Tabac (Apparatus of the President of the Republic of Moldova) - „About the flag of Ștefan cel Mare worn on September 12th, 1485 at Colomeea during the ceremony of veneration of the vassal of the King of Poland Cazimir IV Jagiełło (I)"; member correspondent Mariana Șlapac (Institute of Cultural Heritage of the ASM) - „Apotropaic signs with magical valences in the cities of the Principality of Moldavia"; Adelaida Chiroșca (National Museum of History of Moldova) - „A seal from the 19th century from the Assumption of the Virgin Monastery from Hârbovăț"; Nicolae Schițco (Apparatus of the President of the Republic of Moldova) - „Establishing the national state distinction system of the Republic of Moldova in 1992"; dr. Diana Nicoglo (Institute of Cultural Heritage of the ASM) - „The heraldic emblem of the Gagauz and Bulgarian settlements in the Republic of Moldova".

The event brought together representatives of academic and university circles, members of the Heraldic Cabinet within the Office of the President of the Republic of Moldova, researchers and museographers from national museums.

#Exhibit of the Month

Roman Bronze Situla (1st century BC – 2nd century AD)

Symposium of Heraldry (11th Edition)

April 27, 2017

#Exhibit of the Month