A link in time between the families Golescu and Brătianu

The Golești Museum is the proud owner of a number of objects with memorial value, which belonged to another family with an important role in the modernization of Romania – the Brătianu family. Our museum opened its own mini-exhibition at Villa Florica, now Brătianu National Museum.

It is an honor to collaborate with the new museum institution, in its beginning. We consider it the most appropriate way to show a collegial solidarity and to develop the cultural landscape of the Argeș County.

The objects now on display belonged to Ion I.C. Brătianu, his son, the historian Gheorghe I. Brătianu and Mrs. Elena G. Brătianu, born Sturza.

The exhibition of the Golesti Museum revives the atmosphere of a cozy interior from the first half of the twentieth century.

The 2 wooden chairs have a backrest in the grille, beautifully carved with floral element, and are upholstered with a green fabric. The pieces were made in an urban workshop (Figure 1)

Between the 2 chairs, we exhibited a rug with national motifs, made of wool, woven in 2 threads, with an attractive chromatic (red, blue, brown, yellow), which gives the interior an elegant look. The decoration of the carpet is placed on the entire surface and has a border on the edge with geometric motifs (hexagon) and stylized flowers. The ends end with fringes. (Figure 2)

Along with the other objects in the exhibition, there is an oriental table with mother-of-pearl inlays and a foldable one, over which there is a tip. Their presence in the interior of the 19^th century and 20^th century homes reflects the attraction for oriental exoticism. (Figures 3 and 4)

Meetings with family members or friends were held at a game of bridge-playing cards, listening to the sound of your favorite music. The exposed card game box is made of wood, and inside it has 3 compartments, the corners being protected by brown leather. The gilded ornaments increase the artistic value of the piece, which dates from the first half of the twentieth century. (Figure 5)

In the exhibition there is a box for storing the music records. The box is made of veneered wood, with metal locks and handles applied laterally. The oval metal application stands out, located centrally on the lid, where a puppy listens carefully to HIS MASTER’S VOICE. (Figure 6)

On the walls were exhibited two watercolors dated 1902, executed by Charles Maurice Detmold (1883-1908). The artist, together with his twin brother Edward (1883-1957), made 16 illustrations for the novel “The Jungle Book” by Rudyard Kipling. The main character Mowgli is depicted in the paintings, in two poses: next to the lone wolf and the panther Bagheera. (Figures 7 and 8)

A unique piece from the collection of the Golești Museum, exhibited at the Bratianu National Museum, is a bar made of an elephant’s foot. The bar opens by lifting the lid and has 4 holes in which drink bottles could be inserted. (Figure 9)

You can also admire a steel object, a press-papier, that has the shape of a loose knot and was manufactured at the Reșița Steel Plant. (Figure 10)

Also on display is the black and white photography, which shows Gheorghe I. Brătianu as a child, dressed in a national costume. (Figure 11)

Fig. 1 Chair, first half 20th century

Fig.2 Carpet with national motivs, first half 20th century

Fig. 3 Oriental table, 19th century

Fig. 4 Oriental table, 19th century

Fig. 5 Box for records, 20th century

Fig. 6 Box for bridge cards, 20th century

Fig. 7 and 8 Watercolors, Charles Maurice Detmold, 1902

Fig. 9 Elephant leg bar, end of the 19th century

Fig. 10 Presse-papier, 20th century

Fig. 11 Gheorghe  I. Brătianu, 2oth century