The Village Museum

Sender: daniela_bmp


Some items shown in The Village Museum, Bucharest, Romania.

Painted eggs:- 

Based on an Easter folklore legend, painted with motifs of tree of life, sun, star, cross, rooster, snake, oak leaves, waves, spirals etc. In old times the painted eggs were believed to bring luck and provide protection from evil demons and spirits. In some parts of Romania, newly wedded couples keep painted eggs in their homes as charms to protect their home, bring equilibrium and secure happiness in marriage.

Painted plates:-

Decorated in delicate geometric and vegetal patterns, painted using natural colors and ancient age old tools. The most popular motif is the rooster, but there are other symbolic drawings: the fish, circles, spirals, stars, peacock tails and grain spikes.

Folk masks:-

Three basic types: animal (goat/bear), human (old), and demonic (devil). Masks are made of fur and animal skin, cloth, ceramic, carved wood, lime, fir or birch bark, metal rings or pieces, thick colored rope, bird feathers, hemp tow, horse or pig hair, beans and corn, straw, colored paper, beads, buttons, glass pieces, horns or pieces of objects. They are used in rituals concerned with fertility, rainfall, hunting, and for initiations in ancient times. Today they are still used to represent characters from folk mythology at special holidays such as Christmas and New Year, or for an important life events like a wedding or funeral.