Romanian Arts & Crafts

 

Romania is gorgeous country of the northern Balkans, on the crossroad between the Central and the South-eastern Europe, covering the area of 237.600 square km.  With its large territory, Romania is the largest country in the southeastern Europe and the 12th-largest country in Europe, including the great part of the basin of the Danube River system situated on either side of the Carpathians.

 

Romania is country of outstanding hospitable people proud of the the originality of the traditional crafts and folksongs. 

The traditional Romanian folk arts, including dance, wood carving, ceramics, weaving and embroidery of costumes and household decorations, and fascinating folk music, still flourish in the country.

 

The most readily recognizable examples of Romanian art are the famed painted eggs, especially prominent around Easter time.  Painting of real hollowed-out eggs was an integral part of preparations for this festival of renewal.  

Romanian pottery is still made mainly on traditional kick-wheels with simple finishing tools.  Color glazes and decorations vary from strong geometrics, to delicate florals, animals and humans.  There are approximately 30 pottery centers throughout the country, each with its own distinctive style, but the main areas are in Horezu in Oltenia;  Miercurea-Ciuc and Corund in western Transylvania; Baia Mare near the northern border, and Radauti and Marginea in Moldavia. 

Nearby Horezu is a major center for ceramics, wood carving and iron forging and the Horezu Museum of Art showcases some of the best work  of past and contemporary artists. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maybe the most representative area to see the art of woodwork is Maramures.  Homes are trimmed in elaborately carved wood, wooden gates and even fences are intricately carved.  The “Merry Cemetery” of Sapanta is in this region, open all year long, at all times -- it’s worth a visit.  Trees of life, twisted rope, moons, stars, flowers and wolf teeth to ward off evil spirits are associated with myths and superstitions.  

Most prized are the multi-piped pan flutes, which are now very rare, as few artisans know how to make them and even fewer know how to play them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Textile weaving is the most widespread craft in Romania, handed down from generation to generation, using distinctive family patterns along with those specific to different districts.  The predominant fibers, wool and cotton are woven into rugs, wall hangings, table covers and clothing.  Embroidery on folk costumes worn for holidays and special occasions (like weddings) follows strict regional patterns and serves also as a sort of secret language known only to people within the different regions. 

Masks are linked to folk festivals held predominantly in Maramures and Moldavia.  Typically made from the hides of sheep, goats or cows, the masks are adorned with fabric, hats, pompoms, metallic bits, feathers, beans, straw and animal horns to represent bears and goats, they’re traditionally worn to welcome in the New Year during a couple weeks in December and early January.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A most unusual form of Romanian folk art are icons painted on glass. The image is painted backwards on a piece of glass, so it can be seen correctly when viewed from the front side.

 

Romania has a great diversity of museums preserving every facet of its history and arts. Some are small museums, catering to enthusiasts with a taste for special interests such as pharmacy, clocks, railway trains, folk arts and architecture, wine making and traditional crafts. Larger museums host regular exhibitions from around the world, as well as housing permanent collections of paintings and sculptures.

Prominent museums include Romania's National Museum of Art, the Art Collections Museum, the Village Museum, the Museum of the Romanian Peasant in Bucharest, and the Bruckenthal Museum in Sibiu. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

While there are great Romanian fine artists, among whom 20th century sculptor Constantin Brancusi is probably the most famous, the typical zest for life and almost naive optimism that the world is really a beautiful place seem best expressed in the traditional art and craft of Romanian peasants, extending even to their colorful, unique grave markers. Works of Brancusi are in various locales, but one of the finest collections is in the city of Targu Jiu, in Oltenia province on the southern border of the Carpathian Mountains.  "The Endless Column" (Coloana Infinita), "The Gate of the Kiss" (Poarta Sarutului), "The Table of Silence" (Masa Tacerii) and "The Alley of Chairs" (Aleea Scaunelor) are displayed in the city’s main park as indicated by the great sculptor.