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Notable Objects of Museum of Apiculture
Painted Beehive Frontal Panel the Pilgrim Mary
Description
From the 18th and first decades of the 19th century, we know mostly religious motifs of painted beehive frontal panel, of which Mary, as the universal patroness, is most often depicted.
On a completely white background, the central part depicts the figure of Mary with a child, both surrounded by a saintly glow.
The figure is typically triangular, with a wide spread dress, that is barely visible in the lower part. To the left and to the right of the central motif are the numbers 17 and 58, which together represent the year of 1758. It’s is oldest known beehive frontal panel.
This example of Slovenian folk art belongs to the post-Baroque painting tradition of the first group of painters, among religious motifs, measuring 34 x 16.5 cm.
Kranjič Hive with a Painted Frontal Panel – Portrait of Anton Janša
Description
A memorial kranjič hive with a painted frontal panel – a portrait of Anton Janša – was created in 1934 to mark the 200th anniversary of the birth of Slovenia’s greatest beekeeper and the first teacher of apiculture in Vienna.
The central figure on the panel is taken from the book by Martin Perc A Biographical Sketch on the 150th Anniversary of ‘A Full Guide to Beekeeping’, with images, 1925.
‘Turek’ Figural
Description
The figural hive in the shape of a Turk is 183cm high and 43cm wide. There is an opening at the rear in which two kranjič hives can be placed. It was made at the start of the 20th century by the self-taught village artist Anton Brilly (1877-1952) from Kranj.
Figural hives are classified among architectural heritage, since in the past they complemented and protected apiaries. They were designed in the shape of figures of animals or humans.
Alberti-Žnideršičev Hive (AŽ-hive)
Description
The AŽ hive is divided into a brood chamber, the lower part of the hive and the honey chamber, and the upper part of the hive. Between the brood chamber and the honey chamber there is a queen excluder, which prevents the queen from entering and laying eggs in the honey chamber. The combs (9-10 combs) are placed horizontally (which is known as a ‘cold way’, i.e. the combs are perpendicular to the entrance). The hive opens from the back.
The hive is named after its constructors Adolf Albert and Anton Žnideršič. At the beginning of the 20th century it was remodeled to fit the traditional Slovenian method of beekeeping. Due to its characteristics, the AŽ hive remains the most used hive in Slovenia.
Jan Strgar’s Map
Description
Jan Strgar (1881-1955), a beekeeper and trader, was an important exporter of bees during the first half of the 20th century. He exported bee families around the world and marked where he was sending them on the map. Through his trade he helped to establish and expand the Carniolan bee around the world.
‘Gorenjska Apiary’, Jaka Torkar
Description
The picture shows a thatched-roof Gorenjska apiary with kranjič hives.
Professional Beekeeping Literature
Description
At the time when he taught beekeeping in Vienna, Anton Janša (1734-1773) also wrote two books. Pogovori o čebeljih rojih was published in 1771, while Popolni nauk o čebelarstvu was published posthumously in 1775. Both books were published in German. They were later translated into Slovenian and other languages. Janša’s books are considered to be the beginning of professional Slovenian beekeeping print.