Valoarea artistică a lăzilor de zestre şi a sofcelor de pe teritoriul Republicii Moldova (sfârșitul sec. al XIX-lea–prima jumătate a sec.XX)

Abstract

The analysis of the dowry boxes and sofas on the territory of the Republic of Moldova is necessary to capitalize on the artistic potential, which was especially observed in the realization of these two pieces of furniture having a symbolic content, related to the custom of the wedding. Dowry boxes, the rustic furniture in which diff erent products or objects are stored. Depending on the size and destination, the crates are divided into three groups: the crate for clothes, the crate for cereals, the small crate for ornaments and valuables. Sofas appeared in the middle of the nineteenth century, the piece that gradually replaced the dowry box. Such a piece fulfi lled the function of rest and at the same time, of storing things. These were executed by professional lathes or carpenters and less often by the homeowner. The analysis of the specialized works in relation to the researches carried out in the fi eld contributed to a classifi cation of the ornamentation in the traditional furniture under several aspects, both as materials and technique of execution (incision, notch, forging, painting, sculpture and drawing), as well as ornamental system. What sets them apart, is the decision of the compositional ensemble as well as variations of the ornaments.