Perspective istorice asupra meşteşugului fierăritului. Comentarii pe marginea unei expoziţii muzeale
Historical Perspectives on the Craft of Blacksmithing. Notes on a Museum Exhibition

Summary/Abstract: The paper aims to present the craft of blacksmithing, in its historical course, highlighting its importance throughout time. It also refers to the guilds in which the blacksmiths were organized during mediaeval and early modern times and it indicates the historical and cultural factors that influenced the way in which the blacksmiths had been perceived within society. As related to the Romanian territory, the archaeological discoveries attest that the craft has been practiced since ancient times, as it was linked to the daily needs of the population. Blacksmithing was the main branch of craft activity and has been the basis for the development of all the other crafts. In the same time, certain folk beliefs related to the persons who used to perform this crafts are mentioned. The last part of the paper includes several comments, insights and photographs related to the exhibition “Blacksmithing”, which was organized at the Ethnographic Museum of Moldavia.

• Details
• Contents