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.
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. II [XVII], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
In the questioned study, one have proposed to point out the Movilești dynasty along with famous Polish families and afterwards, the spread of the Movilești dynasty in Europe. One have emphasized that apart from the fact that the Movilești have affirmed as being a ruling dynasty in Moldova on the feminine line, on this particular line the dynasty has preserved its continuity. The masculine line of Ieremia Movila has fallen apart after the first generation. On the other hand, however, on the feminine line, his daughters, throughout their marriages with the polish lords, have preserved the gender fond of his ancestors, and his successors have related with famous royal families from Europe. Raina’s Movlieanca Wisniowiecki grandnephew, Michal Korybut Wisniowiecki, has been chosen king of Poland (1669-1673).
Anna Jablonowska the granddaughter of Maria Movileanca Potocki, was mother of king Stanislaw Ist Leszczyński and grandmother of the queen Maria Leszczyńska, the wife of Ludovic the XV-th, the king of France. Another granddaughter of Maria Movileanca Potocki, Ludwika Karolina Radziwill has been married twice to Ludwig Hohenzollern and Karol Filip, lord of Nierburg.
Considering the exposed earlier, one can utterly confirm, that as European royal dynasties are proud of their continuity, so as Moldova can pride itself with Movilești Dynasty, which spread the “Moldovan blood” of royalty through Europe.
Lilia Zabolotnaia
Testament of Moldavian princess Maria (Lupu) Radziwill from 1659
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. XIII [XXVIII], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
Lilia Zabolotnaia
Marriage institution during middle ages: obstacles and prohibitions. Exploration of historical anthropology and comparative studies
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. V [XX], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
Lilia Zabolotnaia
Women and power in the history of the Asan dynasty
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. VI [XXI], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
Lilia Zabolotnaia
Regency, reign and power to feminine (centuries XIV-XVII)
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. III [XVIII], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
Lilia Zabolotnaia
Helena Krasowska, The Polish Minority in South-Eastern Ukraine. Warsaw: Institute of Slavic Studies, Polish Academy of Sciences, 2017, 389 p. ISBN: 978-83-64031-65-6
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. XII [XXVII], 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
