TRANSYLVANIAN RUSTIC FURNITURE OF EVERYDAY VILLAGE LIFE AT THE TURN OF THE CENTURY AND TODAY (cultural-economic exhibit in view through Dec.2011, but still not finalized; most of the antique furniture pieces imported by Rodica Perciali in 2002 are still in Princeton NJ. In Philadelphia we have some in the gallery-boutique only as decor (not for sale) and more pieces of new pine rustic furniture as samples (only a few for sale) ; see more below |
a NOTE - Oct.2012 - We're sorry; unfortunately the finalization and the promotion of this exhibit has been
postponed for several times since 2003 (in fact for eight years by now..) and it remains so until further
notice or until the museum or at least this exhibit will be moved to a larger place. The difficulties, including
the absence of promoters from Romania, are mainly caused by lack of dedication, cooperation, and
professionalism from the Romanian officials and Romanian entities in charge with promoting the
Romanian economy in general and , in particular, the cultural-economy that would have helped
Romanians in many ways, both in Romania and the Romanians abroad and would have been essential for
the building and the strengthening of those functional "Romanian Bridges over that Ocean" that we have
initiated - and build model projects for - since 1991 in Chicago and then since 1999 in Philadelphia, as you
can see if you visit us or in other places of this web site, including at chapter "Romanian -American
League"
___________________________________________________________________________________
But this is how it was planned for the fall of 2003
A premiere in the United States, an exhibit of Transylvanian antique primitive furniture, replicas of
German-style painted furniture, and new country pine furniture. Some of the latter pieces were donated to
the museum for sale and, along with taking orders on the painted replica pieces, are part of the museum
and the Romanian-American League's main program to promote the Romanian culture and economy in
the U.S., to support the Romanian artisans, and to raise funds for the Romanian Museum. Painting on
wood furniture is a seven-century old Transylvanian much appreciated tradition whose historic and artistic
value has common old European roots with the Pensyilvania's immigrants craft. Of German origin and
preserved in Romania through many generations, this folk art is now in danger of extinction without the
attention of the world artistic community. Beautiful objects such as painted floral dowery chests and
decorative wall or corner pieces are both rustic and elegant, dramatic and functional, with accents of naif
and village designs, add a romantic touch to any interior especially since the artisans who created them, in
collaboration with Rodica Perciali, are unusually talented Romanian Gypsies.
(NOTE 2 as Oct.2012 : You can see more of such design furniture pieces, including large armoirs, at the
museum but also get an idea if you go to "Current Exhibits in Romania" (MOBILA PICTATA - exhibit
organized with the occasion of the opening of the Romanian-American League office in the Transylvanian
city of Brasov in February 2004. Because we could not find a gallery manager/marketing person in 2005
they were moved to a semi-private location where, unfortunately, they can be seen only by appointment).
Half of the proceeds will go for operational and program expences, including hiring a PT director and
printing of much needed brochures and the other half will go for special fund for a new appropriate
location since, after 20 years of donations and volunteer work, the Perciali's family can not continue to
house it and maintained it for posterity without significant help from the Romanian-American communities
and more supporters of Romanian culture wherever they are.
Please join us in our effort to preserve and popularize this precious art form by helping us prepare:
postponed for several times since 2003 (in fact for eight years by now..) and it remains so until further
notice or until the museum or at least this exhibit will be moved to a larger place. The difficulties, including
the absence of promoters from Romania, are mainly caused by lack of dedication, cooperation, and
professionalism from the Romanian officials and Romanian entities in charge with promoting the
Romanian economy in general and , in particular, the cultural-economy that would have helped
Romanians in many ways, both in Romania and the Romanians abroad and would have been essential for
the building and the strengthening of those functional "Romanian Bridges over that Ocean" that we have
initiated - and build model projects for - since 1991 in Chicago and then since 1999 in Philadelphia, as you
can see if you visit us or in other places of this web site, including at chapter "Romanian -American
League"
___________________________________________________________________________________
But this is how it was planned for the fall of 2003
A premiere in the United States, an exhibit of Transylvanian antique primitive furniture, replicas of
German-style painted furniture, and new country pine furniture. Some of the latter pieces were donated to
the museum for sale and, along with taking orders on the painted replica pieces, are part of the museum
and the Romanian-American League's main program to promote the Romanian culture and economy in
the U.S., to support the Romanian artisans, and to raise funds for the Romanian Museum. Painting on
wood furniture is a seven-century old Transylvanian much appreciated tradition whose historic and artistic
value has common old European roots with the Pensyilvania's immigrants craft. Of German origin and
preserved in Romania through many generations, this folk art is now in danger of extinction without the
attention of the world artistic community. Beautiful objects such as painted floral dowery chests and
decorative wall or corner pieces are both rustic and elegant, dramatic and functional, with accents of naif
and village designs, add a romantic touch to any interior especially since the artisans who created them, in
collaboration with Rodica Perciali, are unusually talented Romanian Gypsies.
(NOTE 2 as Oct.2012 : You can see more of such design furniture pieces, including large armoirs, at the
museum but also get an idea if you go to "Current Exhibits in Romania" (MOBILA PICTATA - exhibit
organized with the occasion of the opening of the Romanian-American League office in the Transylvanian
city of Brasov in February 2004. Because we could not find a gallery manager/marketing person in 2005
they were moved to a semi-private location where, unfortunately, they can be seen only by appointment).
Half of the proceeds will go for operational and program expences, including hiring a PT director and
printing of much needed brochures and the other half will go for special fund for a new appropriate
location since, after 20 years of donations and volunteer work, the Perciali's family can not continue to
house it and maintained it for posterity without significant help from the Romanian-American communities
and more supporters of Romanian culture wherever they are.
Please join us in our effort to preserve and popularize this precious art form by helping us prepare:
- GRAND OPENING events and STRONG MEDIA and MARKETING CAMPAIGNS including printing
and dissemination of printed materials. - Two organizational gatherings with potential supporters and the participation of Romanian officials.
- To invite from Romania a specialist in cultural promotion and two artisans specialized in painting
furniture - To organize several lectures and visual presentations covering the story of such furniture and other
topics Romanian and American cultural and economic aspects related to it. - To produce a photo exhibit, a catalogue, and an educational videotape.
- To organize a touring exhibit to other US cities. To stimulate other people to join our efforts, to use
our exemple and help create other venues to promote Romanian culture in the US and to support
the artisans in Romania, as well as to educate Romanian people in Romania on how to do such
things themselves. including to help the poor families of Romanian artisans, especially those of the
Gypsies that we identified as exceptionally talented and hardworking.
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215/732-6780
office@romanianculture.us
ro_am_league@yahoo.com
New pine furniture and pottery from
Transylvania that we have for sale
(few pieces left) and a typical
Oltenian hand woven rug, as a
sample for orders ( by a weaver
from Transylvania-Sibiu from one
of the most renown cooperatives
that have been functioning very
well under communism, but after
1990 gradually dissapeared; in
1990-92 most were still functioning
on very few orders; our orders in of
July '91 were executed in one
month and with the help of some
nice Romanians we got them in
October and opened the
GALLERY in Chicago, a premiere
in US. Even as now in 2011 we are
still the only ones with such a
gallery-boutique in US and with the
largest collection of rugs, including
some dozen smaller such "new"
rugs for sale (as you see at the
museum pictures) , but in the last 3
years both have been open only a
few months a year and by
appointment mainly due to lack of
promoters/marketing people from
Romania and the indifference of
the Romanian authorities , even
negligence since we did offer to
Romania a PROGRAM OF
INTERNSHIP to help developing
promoters. Another sad factor is of
"US made"cause with the exception
of one artisan in 2003 none of
those 500 that we started to
promote in 1991 (and kept visiting
and making purchases from) was
able to come to us, including
because of the US VISA issue. And
three for which we made
preparations to invite did not get
US Visa including a skillful Persian
rug weaver from the former
cooperative of the village Harman
(near Brasov) the largest , more
renown and profitable cooperative
of commercial, but very well woven
replica of Persian rugs that have
been imported and sold in US
extensively until 1989. Luckily the
creation of folk art and crafts,
including weaving, have been
given a big boost as many of the
gifted artisans of Romania sell
easily in Europe, including the
embroiderers from Breaza (North
of Bucharest) who work at home.
While the quality of pottery and
decorated eggs creation-making
increased, the quality of the
embroidery on the renown since
the 60's Romanian blouses its' not
the same as the on the about 3
dozen blouses in our collection.
Transylvania that we have for sale
(few pieces left) and a typical
Oltenian hand woven rug, as a
sample for orders ( by a weaver
from Transylvania-Sibiu from one
of the most renown cooperatives
that have been functioning very
well under communism, but after
1990 gradually dissapeared; in
1990-92 most were still functioning
on very few orders; our orders in of
July '91 were executed in one
month and with the help of some
nice Romanians we got them in
October and opened the
GALLERY in Chicago, a premiere
in US. Even as now in 2011 we are
still the only ones with such a
gallery-boutique in US and with the
largest collection of rugs, including
some dozen smaller such "new"
rugs for sale (as you see at the
museum pictures) , but in the last 3
years both have been open only a
few months a year and by
appointment mainly due to lack of
promoters/marketing people from
Romania and the indifference of
the Romanian authorities , even
negligence since we did offer to
Romania a PROGRAM OF
INTERNSHIP to help developing
promoters. Another sad factor is of
"US made"cause with the exception
of one artisan in 2003 none of
those 500 that we started to
promote in 1991 (and kept visiting
and making purchases from) was
able to come to us, including
because of the US VISA issue. And
three for which we made
preparations to invite did not get
US Visa including a skillful Persian
rug weaver from the former
cooperative of the village Harman
(near Brasov) the largest , more
renown and profitable cooperative
of commercial, but very well woven
replica of Persian rugs that have
been imported and sold in US
extensively until 1989. Luckily the
creation of folk art and crafts,
including weaving, have been
given a big boost as many of the
gifted artisans of Romania sell
easily in Europe, including the
embroiderers from Breaza (North
of Bucharest) who work at home.
While the quality of pottery and
decorated eggs creation-making
increased, the quality of the
embroidery on the renown since
the 60's Romanian blouses its' not
the same as the on the about 3
dozen blouses in our collection.
New pine rustic furniture (1 night
stand above is for sale and a
yellow one as well as 2 benches)
Some of such pieces, including 2
large dining room cabinets can be
seen in the museum showroom
through Dec.2011.Some of the
pieces were donated in 2002 to
the museum by a generous owner
of a very successful company
"Transylvanian Production" and,
along with village antique furniture,
exported from Romania, shipped
and imported in US through the
efforts of Rodica Perciali with the
goal to serve as samples for orders
stand above is for sale and a
yellow one as well as 2 benches)
Some of such pieces, including 2
large dining room cabinets can be
seen in the museum showroom
through Dec.2011.Some of the
pieces were donated in 2002 to
the museum by a generous owner
of a very successful company
"Transylvanian Production" and,
along with village antique furniture,
exported from Romania, shipped
and imported in US through the
efforts of Rodica Perciali with the
goal to serve as samples for orders