Buckles (paftale) are an almost indispensable element of traditional women's dress in the Southeastern European area, particularly in the Balkans, and have been in use over a long period, from the 14th to the 20th century. The word pafta is of Turkic origin-possibly entering the language via Iranian influence-derived from the Persian word bafta, meaning "woven," which evolved in Turkish to signify "plate." Today, the term is used in nearly identical forms in Romanian (pafta), Bulgarian (пафта), Serbian (пафте), and some Aromanian dialects (pafta), designating functional and ornamental clothing accessories used to fasten belts, girdles, or sashes, crafted from various materials and decorated using different techniques. The three buckles decorated in the polychrome enamel technique, preserved in the collection of the National Museum of History of Moldova, belong to the South-Danubian tradition and are dated to the late 19th - early 20th century.
Each buckle consists of two identical trapezoidal parts, their surfaces divided into three roughly equal registers, adorned with stylized vegetal motifs forming a metal lattice into which enamel is poured. The two parts extend into sharp angles at the ends, forming a triangle with the edge of the last decorative register, similarly ornamented. The enamel used to fill the floral motifs is black, turquoise, white, orange, green, yellow, and burgundy. The entire decorative field is framed by a beaded border.
On the reverse, both components retain a copper band riveted along the edge, used to fasten the ends of the belt. The fastening system, made by interlocking the hinges of the two parts and secured with a movable pin attached by a chain to a clasp fixed on one of the buckle pieces, is concealed by a rectangular plate (riveted with three pins to the body of the piece), with narrow edges ending in sharp angles, decorated in the same style and technique. Additionally, it features three circular settings with notched edges bent inward to hold centrally placed red and green glass paste. These settings are framed by a radiant, notched band.
The symbolism of the color palette encodes meanings and symbols, chosen for their believed magical powers. Red has always represented love, affection, and protection against curses and the evil eye; white symbolizes purity and spiritual and physical cleanliness; blue is symbolically associated with infinity, morning, new beginnings, and transformation; green represents destiny, hope, prosperity, balance, and rebirth, being linked to nature's revival each spring and to life itself.
Royal visit to Chișinău (1920) - images and history
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. VIII [XXIII], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
The National Museum of History of Moldova came into possession of a mini-collection of illustrated postcards devoted to the visit of King Ferdinand I and Queen Marie of Romania to Bessarabia in May 1920. On the pictures made in the Chișinău photo shop of I. Zemșman there are images of the representatives of royal house and events during the visit that was also reflected in the press of the time, memoirs and historical literature. The postcards depict the following scenes: the royal retinue attending a worship service at the Nativity Cathedral, the royal family during the ceremony in front of the Diocesan House, Queen Marie visiting the People’s Canteen in Chișinău, and two images of the royal retinue on the streets of Chișinău. These images encouraged us to make an overview and summary of the visit, which was a special event not only for the reason that it was made by the rulers of the Kingdom of Romania, but also because it was organized prior to the recognition of the union of Bessarabia with Romania by the major allied powers and immediately after negotiations with the Supreme Committee of the Paris Peace Conference. The royal visit to Bessarabia took place before the signing of the Treaty of October 20, 1920 where the main allied powers recognized its unification with Romania. The need for this visit to Bessarabia was undeniable, as the physical presence of the king is „an act of asserting of legitimacy and suzerainty”.
List of illustrations:
1. Advertisement of I. Zemșman’s photo shop, Chișinău, the beginning of the 20th century. 2. Royal retinue attending a worship service at the Nativity Cathedral, 1920 (Postcard, NMHM). 3. Royal family during ceremonies organized in front of the Diocesan House, 1920 (Postcard, NMHM). 4. Queen Marie visiting the People’s Canteen in Chișinău, 1920 (Postcard, NMHM). 5, 6. The king and queen on the streets of Chișinău. 1920 (Postcard, NMHM).
Ana Grițco
Scientific activity in Bessarabia as reflected in works of some figures (1812-1918). From the collections of the National Museum of History of Moldova
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. XVII [XXXII], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
Ana Grițco
Amusement places in Chișinău. Cafe Man’kov (Late 19th century - the 30ies of 20th century)
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. VII [XXII], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
Ana Grițco
Building of the Hârbovăț Community of Nurses in Chișinău (late 19th - early 20th centuries): the image and history
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. VI [XXI], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
Ana Grițco
An exhibition full of lights
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. XVII [XXXII], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
Ana Grițco
A drugstore of old times Chișinău (end of 19th – beginning of 20th centuries)
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. IV [XIX], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
Buckles (paftale) are an almost indispensable element of traditional women's dress in the Southeastern European area, particularly in the Balkans, and have been in use over a long period, from the 14th to the 20th century....
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.
31 August 1989 St., 121 A, MD 2012, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
