Porcelain is a material that has sparked great interest throughout history, and its production has been a true challenge. Also known as "white gold," porcelain is a white, translucent ceramic material obtained by firing a paste of kaolin, quartz, and feldspar, along with other additives, at high temperatures. It was first discovered and used in China. The first Chinese porcelain objects arrived in Europe in the 13th century, but a broader spread of Chinese porcelain on the European continent is recorded in the 17th century. The technology for producing porcelain was kept a secret by the Chinese for a very long time.
The first hard-paste porcelain manufactory in Europe, located in the city of Meissen, was established in 1710 due to discoveries in porcelain production made by Saxon mathematician and physicist Ehrenfried Walter von Tschirnhaus (1661-1708), which were put into practice by the royal court alchemist Johann Friedrich Böttger (1682-1718). He invented the glaze and achieved the complete fusion of the shard and the glaze. The Meissen factory, still operational today, has created and continues to create a vast range of porcelain products. Crafted by the finest artists, sculptors, and engravers, who use unique hand-painted colors and exclusive designs, Meissen products are of exceptional quality and elegance, enjoying worldwide fame.
The tea set, partially consisting of seven pieces (teapot, milk jug, sugar bowl, and two cups with saucers), displayed in this showcase, is a product of the famous Meissen factory in the Kingdom of Saxony, Germany. It was crafted in the first half of the 19th century from high-quality porcelain. The exhibit became part of the collection of the National Museum of History of Moldova through a transfer from the "G. Cotovschi" Memorial House in Hâncești, which was closed in 1989-1990.
The decoration of these pieces is remarkable, featuring hand-painted "German flowers," one of the well-known styles of floral and plant decoration practiced by Meissen craftsmen since the 18th century. They were influenced by Chinese porcelain, which was often adorned with images of flowers and fruits. A distinctive feature of this decorative style was the "scattered flowers" arrangement, where floral elements were placed as individual blossoms or bouquets across the surface of porcelain objects.
The marking on the underside of the pieces consists of two crossed swords, elements borrowed from the coat of arms of the Kingdom of Saxony, applied by hand with cobalt paint under the glaze. With slight variations in the representation of the swords, this mark has been used since 1722 and continues to the present day. The mark on this tea set is characterized by prominent dots on the crossed swords, a feature used at the Meissen factory between 1815 and 1860.
The polychrome floral painting, gilding, and the application of a rosebud on the lids of the teapot and sugar bowl lend a sublime delicacy to these pieces, making them rare and exquisite.
Prince Mihail Sturdza and his relations with Russia
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. VIII [XXIII], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
Mihail Sturdza, prince of Moldavia from 1834 to 1849, was a controversial figure in the modern history of Moldova. Mihail Sturdza was not just a political instrument of Russia in Romanian principalities, nor a governor of an ordinary Russian guberniya that was in his administration. Russia had created sufficient means to exercise control over the principalities, especially through the Russian consuls, as well as through information services. Prince Mihail Sturdza managed to skillfully use the protectorate of Russia to create political ascendancy in Moldova.
Close cooperation with the tsarist authorities, services rendered to Russia in the war of 1828-1829, personal contribution to the development of the Organic Regulations constituted sufficient evidences of Mihail Sturdza’s loyalty to Russia for the protectorate. He was supported from Petersburg by his cousins Alexandru Sturdza (1791-1854), one of the greatest theologians of the time, one of former advisers of Tsar Alexander I, and Ruxandra Sturdza. During his reign, he was trying to get out from under Russian tutelage, which he failed. Despite this, he enjoyed the consideration of Russian officials.
Eugen-Tudor Sclifos
Great Britain and the issue of Southern Bessarabia in 1856-1857
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. XII [XXVII], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
Eugen-Tudor Sclifos
Bessarabian question reflected in the reports of the French ambassador in Petersburg Charles Auguste de Morny (1856-1857)
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. X [XXV], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
Eugen-Tudor Sclifos
The Peace Congress of Paris in 1856. Franco-Russian relations and the Romanian Question
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. IX [XXIV], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie Chișinău, 2015
Eugen-Tudor Sclifos
Romanian- Russian relations and the Bessarabian issue in the Romanian press (1877-1878)
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. XVIII [XXXIII], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
Eugen-Tudor Sclifos
Documents on Bessarabia in the Archives of Foreign Aff airs in Paris (1856-1857)
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. XI [XXVI], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
Porcelain is a material that has sparked great interest throughout history, and its production has been a true challenge. Also known as "white gold," porcelain is a white, translucent ceramic material obtained by firing a paste of kaolin, quartz, and feldspar, along with other additives, at high temperatures...
The National Museum of History of Moldova takes place among the most significant museum institutions of the Republic of Moldova, in terms of both its collection and scientific reputation.
The National Museum of History of Moldova takes place among the most significant museum institutions of the Republic of Moldova, in terms of both its collection and scientific reputation.
The National Museum of History of Moldova takes place among the most significant museum institutions of the Republic of Moldova, in terms of both its collection and scientific reputation.
The decoration of these pieces is remarkable, featuring hand-painted "German flowers," one of the well-known styles of floral and plant decoration practiced by Meissen craftsmen since the 18th century. They were influenced by Chinese porcelain, which was often adorned with images of flowers and fruits. A distinctive feature of this decorative style was the "scattered flowers" arrangement, where floral elements were placed as individual blossoms or bouquets across the surface of porcelain objects.
31 August 1989 St., 121 A, MD 2012, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
