SUVENIR DIN PARIS: FAIANȚĂ DECORATIVĂ DE SARREGUEMINES DIN COLECȚIILE MUZEULUI DE ISTORIE A MOLDOVEI IAȘI
A souvenir from Paris: decorative Sarreguemines faience in the Collections of the Moldavian History Museum, Iași

Summary/Abstract: The patrimony of the Moldavian History Museum Iași includes a faience plate, pertaining to old archaeological excavations carried out on the territory of the city of Iași. Based on the seal featured on the bottom of the plate, it may be concluded that it was produced in the Utzschneider et Cie production centre in Sarreguemines. The item is unique, given that only a few were produced for an international event: the Universal Exhibition in Paris, held in 1889. It is amply decorated using the serigraphy technique, comprising heraldic and figurative elements accounting for the three countries participating in the exhibition: Egypt, Turkey and Persia. In the centre of the decoration, nine men are illustrated, grouped by three, per country. The characters are clad in attires specific to the Oriental space, pertaining to various social categories. The lower part represents the main products from this region, such as wheat, silk, cotton, fruit, vegetables, furs. A hookah, a sword, a metal tray and a carpet complete the list. The French names of certain merchandises, such as wheat, tobacco, silk and cotton (blé, tabac, soie and coton) are displayed on various types of packaging (sacks, bales and cases). The highlighting of such decorative items, purchased as souvenirs following travels to France, completes the list of faience products from western Europe.

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