Ever wondered what treasures a passionate collector might amass? That’s the story of the Maria and Dr. George Severeanu Collection. It stands as a testament to one man’s love for history and art.
The Maria and Dr. George Severeanu Collection is housed in the former residence of Dr. George Severeanu. He was Bucharest Municipality Museum’s first director. The house shows Bucharest architecture from the second half of the 19th century.
Dr. George Severeanu was not just any doctor. He was Romania’s first radiologist. He also had a passion for antiques. Over his lifetime, he gathered an impressive array of artifacts.
The Maria and Dr. George Severeanu Collection boasts ancient Greek pottery. It includes clay statuettes and bronze objects. You will find Roman glassware and ancient gems. Pottery from the Cucuteni, Vădastra, Wietenberg and Boian cultures are exhibited here.
But that’s not all. Dr. Severeanu’s numismatic collection is among Romania’s most valuable. It consists of around 9000 objects. These span various historical periods. There are Greek autonomous and provincial coins. See Geto-Dacian and Celtic coins. Marvel at Roman and Byzantine issues. Medieval coins from Romanian Principalities are included. Modern and contemporary coins complete the collection.
The Maria and Dr. George Severeanu Collection became part of the Bucharest Municipality Museum in 1939. Its inauguration as a museum occurred in 1956. After being closed for over 25 years, it reopened in 2017. The house was in poor condition. It was restored. Several thematic exhibitions were hosted since 2013.
The museum’s theme connects the house’s memorial aspect. It mirrors the everyday image of Dr. George Severeanu. His office is presented as it was in contemporary photographs. It holds his custom-made furniture and personal library. The exhibition displays the chronological history of archeological and numismatic objects. Interactive components enhance the experience. They provide a better understanding of the heritage. Texts in each room offer information about the artifacts. No other collection in Bucharest offers a similar exhibit. The numismatic artifacts are arranged by chronology and origin.
The Maria and Dr. George Severeanu Collection promotes Dr. Severeanu’s collection. It familiarizes the public with collectors of the early 20th century. Dr. Severeanu inherited his collecting passion from his father. His wife, Maria, encouraged him.
George Severeanu stood out as a pioneer in radiology in Romania. He studied in Vienna and Berlin. The objects in the exhibition take visitors from the Paleolithic to the Iron Age. Their stories reveal the collector’s personality. They show his social relationships. The exhibition includes prehistoric items from the Carpathian and Danube areas. Discover pottery from Pre-dynasty Egypt. See flint tools from Northern Europe. It shows how an archaeological private collection was assembled in the early 20th century.
Visiting the Maria and Dr. George Severeanu Collection, you’re not just seeing artifacts. You’re stepping into the world of a dedicated collector. His passion shaped a legacy for all to admire.