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.
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
The Great War. Photographic documents (The exhibition dedicated to the centenary of the First World War
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. IX [XXIV], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie Chișinău, 2015
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
Pages from the history of hotels in Bessarabia. Deltiologic research (2nd half of 19th - early 20th centuries)
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. V [XX], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
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
The First World War (1914-1918) in deltiology
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. IX [XXIV], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie Chișinău, 2015
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 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
