#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.

Virtual Tour

Events Archive

The Opening of the Exhibition "How the Earth Breathes"

January 14, 2025

On January 14, 2025, the National Museum of History of Moldova hosted the opening of the traveling solo exhibition "How the Earth Breathes" by photographer and filmmaker Dan Mihalcea (Bucharest). This remarkable exhibition highlights the spectacular Mud Volcanoes of Pâclele Mici, Buzău County, Romania, presenting a unique symbiosis of art, science, and the ever-transforming natural world.

The event brought together photography enthusiasts, nature lovers, and those fascinated by rare geological phenomena.

The exhibition features 20 large-format photographs, each inviting viewers to reflect and ponder the relationship between humans and nature. The images capture the unique terrain, stunning formations, and dynamic fluids of the Mud Volcanoes, portraying rare geological processes in an artistic and emotive manner.

During the opening, the museum's General Director, Dr. habil. Eugen Sava, congratulated the artist and emphasized the significance of this project for the National Museum of History of Moldova:

"This exhibition not only showcases a geologically unique area of exceptional rarity but also provides an educational platform, drawing attention to the beauty and fragility of our planet's unique ecosystems."

Dan Mihalcea, the artist behind the works, explained the reasoning behind the title:

"I deliberately left out any punctuation at the end of the title, allowing each viewer to choose the one they feel fits best. It could be a question mark, an exclamation point, left without punctuation, or even a comma after the first word, with subsequent punctuation options as well. Each variation carries a different meaning for the viewer to discover."

At the end of the opening, attendees had the opportunity to take a guided tour of the exhibition, during which the artist shared insights about the photography process and the hidden meanings of the landscapes depicted.

The How the Earth Breathes exhibition is open for visitors until February 9, 2025, in Hall 1 of the National Museum of History of Moldova, Chișinău, 31 August 1989 Street, 121A.

#Exhibit of the Month

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

The Opening of the Exhibition "How the Earth Breathes"

January 14, 2025

#Exhibit of the Month