#Exhibit of the Month

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.

Virtual Tour

Services

Admission to Exhibitions

Entrance fees:

Permanent exhibition:

Adults - 10 MDL
Pensioners, adults with moderate disabilities / disability of the 3rd degree (with valid certificates) - 5 MDL
Students (with valid certificates) - 5 MDL
School students - 2 MDL

Temporary exhibitions and the Treasure Room:

adults - 10 MDL
students - 5 MDL
pupils - 3 MDL

Free admission:

Preschool children (under 7 years), children from residential institutions, children (under 18 years) with disabilities and their accompanying, adults with severe and obvious disabilities (disability of the 1^st and 2^nd degree), military conscripts, official and cultural delegations (within the opening hours of the museum), employees of the national museum network, Ministry of Culture, and national institutions in the field of cultural heritage, ICOM and ICOMOS card holders

Free admission for all visitors: the last Saturday and Sunday of every month

Closed: Friday, 1, 7, and 8 January, 8 March, first and second day of Easter, 1 May, 27 and 31 August

Guided Tours

Guided tours are available on request in Romanian and Russian, for groups of 5 - 30 people or individual visitors. Reservations are required at least 24 hours in advance, by phone (022240426) or e-mail (muzeuldeistorie@gmail.com): specify the date and time, the type and size of the group, and the language.

Costs of guided tours:

For a group of 5 - 30 people:

Adults - 50 MDL
Students - 30 MDL

Guided tours in foreign languages:

Adults - 100 MDL
Students - 80 MDL

Guided tours are free for children from residential institutions and military conscripts

Taking Photographs in the Museum

Costs:

• in exhibition rooms (for personal use, without flash) - 15 MDL;
• objects of the permanent exhibition - 10 MDL for an ordinary exhibit, 80 MDL for an unique exhibit;
• objects from the collection - 30 MDL for a published exhibit, 100 MDL for an unpublished exhibit, 100 MDL for an unique published exhibit, 150 MDL for an unique unpublished exhibit;
• photography of the Museum exhibit items for reproductions оn calendars, postcards, envelops, etc. - 200 MDL for an item;
• services of the Museum Photographic Laboratory - 30 MDL for a cliché, 35 MDL for a black-and-white photograph (9x13-18x24cm), 45 MDL for a color photograph (9x13-20x30cm);
• photocopying of a document - 10 MDL.

Photography or photocopying of the Museum exhibit items by juridical persons is possible only with the permission from the Museum administration, obtained in written form.

Video Filming in the Museum

Costs:

• in exhibition rooms, physical persons, for personal use - 40 MDL, with additional illumination - 80 MDL;
• in exhibition rooms, juridical persons (per hour) - 300 MDL for documentary, 150 MDL for educational film, 400 MDL for feature film, 400 lei for promotional video. If exhibits are taken separately, filming of every item must be paid as well.

For video filming in the Museum juridical persons must obtain the permission from the Museum administration, in writing.

Loan of Exhibit Items

Costs for an exhibit item / a day:

• loan of exhibit items for filming, etc.: 200 MDL;
• loan for exhibitions, except institutions of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Moldova: 70 MDL.

Individuals can take exhibit items on loan with the written permission from the Museum administration, providing the observance of the Regulations on Registration and Preservation of Movable Cultural Heritage. Museum staff member accompanies the items.

Expert Examination of Cultural Values

Verbal examination:

• in the Museum: 40 MDL for an object;
• within the city limits: 50 MDL for an object;
• outside the city, traveling and accommodation costs at the expense of a client: 150 MDL for an object.

Written examination:

• in the Museum: 52 MDL for an object;
• within the city limits: 65 MDL for an object;
• outside the city, traveling and accommodation costs at the expense of a client: 195 MDL for an object.

Library

The Museum Library’s collection includes more than 10,000 books on a wide range of subjects, such as archaeology, history, museum studies, and scholarly reference works of interest to the Museum staff. The Library is also available to the public.

Costs:

to join the library: 10 MDL;
to borrow a book: 5 MDL / a day;

• to take a book for photocopying: 2 MDL.

Assistance of Museum Specialists

The Museum offers professional consultations and practical assistance in the field of archaeology, history, and museum studies, to physical persons and institutions.

Rent of Museum Space

The 1^st floor hall and the temporary exhibition room may be rented for temporary exhibitions, scientific and cultural events. For additional information and reservations, contact the Accounts Department, by phone: + 373 (22) 23-82-69, or the Deputy Director for Public Relations, by phone: + 373 (22) 23-83-13.

Museum Shop

In the Museum Shop can be purchased publications concerned archaeology and history of Moldova, exhibition catalogues, booklets and museum guides, and replicas of exhibit items are available.