Jurilovca, Tulcea, 1898
Originating from the Black Sea Shore, near Razelm Lake, the household from Jurilovca is a typical Lippovan assembly from the end of the 19th century.
Refugees from the central parts of Russia, discontent with the reforms inside the Russian Orthodox Church, the Lippovans settled in the Danube Delta swamps and reeds and on Dobroudja lake shores during the 18th century. Here, they led an isolated life, preserving their language, attire, Old Rite faith and customs. They were fishermen and wine-growers, occupations reflected both by the annexes that form the assembly, and by the numerous household objects specific to these occupations.
The house in the museum, reconstructed in 1953, is the copy of a Lippovan building from 1898, as evidenced by the inscription painted on the main door. It is built on a limestone base, with adobe walls (unburnt bricks of earth mixed with straws, put in moulds and dried in the sun) and a reed roof. The necessary wood was brought from a distance. One can note the decorations on the shutters, windows and doors, painted in vivid colours (cobalt blue, white, dark red, green). This painted ornamentation is specific to the northern and central regions of Russia, where similar specimens can be found.
The house has the shape of the letter “L”, bringing together under one roof both the dwelling and some of the household annexes. The dwelling part includes five rooms, all communicating with each other: the “front house”, reserved for guests (perednia hata), the foyer (sența), the “middle house” (serednia hata), the second foyer (sența) and the kitchen (cuhnia). The smaller side reunites the ice chamber, the shed, two storerooms for tools and food, the fish smoker and the stable. From the shed, one can go to the back of the building, to the “smoking bath” or bania (with steam obtained by throwing water on hot stones) and a shed that shelters a mill for oil, an installation for twisting ropes and a winepress. Part of the household are a summer kitchen and a henhouse, too.
The interior impresses through the stoves with vividly painted moldings. The old tradition of the Byzantine religious Russian painting was continued by the icon painters of the village, who also made works with laic themes, illustrated here by paintings with marine scenery and flowers. Photos of family members are often integrates in the composition of the interior. The polychrome ceramics, the vividly colored textiles and the painted furniture complete the inventory. Among the household items the attention is drawn by the “rucamoinic”, a hand-made device used for hand washing.
The main occupation is illustrated by the varied series of 50-60 types of fishing tools, adapted according to season to the different categories of fish. We also note the “căpăușca”, a delicate tool from a fish bone, carved with decorative motifs, worn around the neck, under the shirt. In stormy and dangerous weather, it was used for unclogging the fishermen's ears, clogged with the sand brought by the waves.
