The Hermitage is a state museum, which many experts and visitors call the Crown of Russian Museum Decoration. Its halls are decorated with many unique works of art.
But not only connoisseurs of beauty strive to get here, coming to the Hermitage. The gold and diamond pantry literally overshadow everything in other rooms. Indeed, in these departments the most valuable treasures are placed. But the ordinary philistine Hermitage’s diamond pantry is especially striking. It will be discussed in this article.
History
When the Hermitage arose, no one raised the question of the ownership of its treasures. Of course, the owners and collectors of all values were Russian autocrats. But the situation was gradually changing. And already Nicholas I began to distinguish between works, distinguishing from them "personal" and "state". During the reign of this king, the Hermitage received visitors who were to see the luxury and beauty of all the things on display. When did the Hermitage's Diamond Pantry arise ? The story of her appearance is quite logical. After all, all existing imperial regalia, as well as crown diamonds, had to be stored somewhere. At the same time, they should be kept in such a way as to guarantee inviolability and avoid any accidents.
In order to store imperial regalia, crown diamonds, as well as valuable jewelry and fur items, Nicholas I created a special structure. He called her Cameral branch of the Cabinet E.I.
Of course, all these valuable objects were under vigilant supervision until the 19th century. The history of the Cabinet created by Nicholas I takes its roots in 1704. Initially, such a structure was engaged in managing the economic, administrative, and financial affairs of the ruling emperors. It was created in accordance with the Order of Secret Affairs issued by Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich. Until the end of the 18th century, such a Cabinet was responsible for keeping all imperial regalia, as well as crown diamonds. But some changes to such activities were introduced on 07.16.1786. Then, by decree of Catherine II, the work of the Cabinet was clearly defined. One of the clauses of this document described some provisions directly related to the storage of sovereign values, which were jewelry.
By the end of the 19th century, a conditional division of the Winter Palace appeared. It was believed that it contains several zones. They included living quarters, as well as rooms reserved for an environment close to the emperor. There was a special zone in the Winter Palace. It was a room in which there were art values belonging to the royal family. This area was called the Imperial New Hermitage. Items previously located in the Kunstkamera and the Moscow Armory were stored here. Moved here and works of art from the Old Hermitage.
In December 1856, a unique collection of exhibits was officially opened for visitors. The room in which they were located was called the Diamond Pantry of the Hermitage. Initially, one hundred sixty-five things were placed in it.
Jewelry collection
What does the Hermitage’s Diamond pantry store today? There are many things in it that show visitors to the museum the phased development of jewelry, which has been improved throughout the centuries-old history of mankind. But it is precisely the objects of art of the 18th century that the Hermitage’s Diamond Pantry is most proud of. The exhibits, made by the hands of beautiful craftsmen of this era, are not here by chance. After all, it is the 18th century that is called the century of diamonds. No matter what things jewelers from Europe did for the most demanding customers!
These are caskets and snuffboxes, travel bags and muscular boxes, fans and watches, jewelry for dresses, hats and hair. Among these items are perfume bottles, bracelets and rings.
Precious Snuff Boxes
The Hermitage’s diamond pantry presents a large number of items to visitors. Many of them were acquired by Empress Elizabeth Petrovna. For example, she ordered various snuffboxes to be purchased. It’s hard to find such a thing today. And in those days, these were special boxes designed to store tobacco. What fell into the Hermitage’s Diamond Pantry was at one time a precious reward to the Empress for her services.
Used snuff boxes made by jewelers and as diplomatic as well as intimate gifts. This unique pantry also has an oval box decorated with the monograms of Catherine II and Semyon Zorich (one of her many favorites). Two tortoiseshells encrusted with gold, which belonged to Tsar Peter, are also stored in the Hermitage. One of them is decorated with a miniature depicting ships in the harbor of St. Petersburg. The second is made in a very original form. It is made in the form of a ship and even has glass windows. These two works are done by an unknown master.
Clock
The mechanism showing time was very popular in those distant times when tsarist dynasties ruled Russia. However, only she could afford to buy a watch. They were attached using a special chain - brown hair to the belt. However, this did not end there. A few more chains were attached to the belt. On one of them was a key. He was needed for the watch factory. Another chain was decorated with a pendant made by jewelers, and on the third one there could be any exquisite trifle. And such an entire set was abundantly decorated with various precious stones. The Hermitage (Diamond Pantry) shows its visitors a lot of similar items.
Opening hours of Swiss, French and English masters are presented here and in the desktop version.
Salt shakers
We are all familiar with the Russian tradition, which consists in offering guests “bread and salt”. Important such a ceremony was for the augusts. That is why salt shakers are among the exhibits of the Hermitage's Diamond Room. They are bowls made of silver or pure gold. Castors are decorated with coinage and precious stones.
Creations of Ivan Kulibin
During the reign of Empress Catherine the Great, I was pleased with the self-taught mechanics well-known nowadays. One of his priceless things is a watch enclosed in an egg-shaped gilt openwork case.
Through the favorite of the Empress Count Vladimir Orlov, Kulibin presented this unique item to Catherine. In those days, he caused genuine admiration. After all, before that, masters in Russia had never made clockwork. Jewelers made only the precious case intended for them.
Ivan Kulibin’s watch, in addition to the usual move, pleased the owner with a musical mechanism and figures moving to the melody.
Works by Jeremiah Posier
This beautiful jeweler created his creations for the three Russian empresses. An excursion to the Hermitage’s Diamond Pantry will introduce you to its gold snuff-boxes decorated with diamond branches, as well as precious bouquets that noble ladies used to wear on their shoulders, belts or bodice. All stones were fixed in a silver frame, so they were deprived of a yellow tint. Gold served only to combine individual flowers in a bouquet. Due to this fastening, all parts were movable. This created an amazing effect. During the movement of the lady, the flowers moved and sparkled.
In order to demonstrate such bouquets, at the end of the 19th century. even made special vases. They were made of rock crystal, which gave the impression of being full of water
Whose work is stored in the Diamond Room?
Masters of jewelry, working in St. Petersburg, were, as a rule, of foreign origin. That is why visitors to the Diamond Room can admire the works of J.F.K. Burde, I. Pozier, I.G. Scarf, brothers Duval and Teremen, as well as J.P. Adora.
Demand for jewelry in the 18th century. was extremely great. Interest in jewelry did not fall in the next century. During this period, items made by Carl Faberge were especially popular. The most iconic work of the famous master is a copy of such imperial regalia as the Big and Small Crown, as well as a power and a scepter.
Karl Faberge performed all these items in a tenfold decrease.
Today, all copies are provided for review to its visitors by the Hermitage (St. Petersburg), the Diamond Pantry. Reduced imperial regalia are placed on pillows made of white velvet and decorated with silver tassels. In turn, the pillows are mounted on specially designed silver pedestals for this purpose. All this splendor is placed on an eminence similar to a Roman column. This pedestal is made of pink quartzite and decorated with a silver garland.
In order to get to work, Faberge needed to obtain a special permission from the Palace. For this masterpiece, which participated in 1900 at the World Industrial and Art Exhibition in Paris, the author received the Gold Medal and the Order of the Legion of Honor. Moreover, he was recognized as the best jeweler in the world. After this exhibition, Tsar Nicholas II purchased items for the Hermitage.
Brilliant exhibits
One of the most striking collections of the Diamond Room includes jewelry made during the Renaissance. All these things have a marine theme and are decorated with “wrong” baroque pearls. One such product is a caravel pendant. It is made of solid emerald, and the baroque pearl serves as the hull of the ship.
Among marine-related products is the pendant of the corsair Elizabeth Francis Drake. This item is a translucent rounded quartz of pink color, having a gold mount for the chain. On the mount is an image of a ship breaking the waves. It also indicates the name of the owner of the suspension, as well as the date - 1590.
The Hermitage’s Diamond Room also has unique items from the Sicilian city of Trapani dating from the 17th century. Experts rate them as extraordinary and rare. These are items from coral, silver and gilded copper. Their beauty literally captivates the eyes of visitors. One of these products is a pitcher-arm. Crystals grow from the walls of this vessel.
Browse Unique Collections
How to get into the Hermitage’s Diamond Pantry? To do this, you need to purchase tickets for one of the excursions, which are held only on schedule.
The Hermitage (Diamond Pantry) invites everyone to come. The tickets you need for this are as follows:
1. At the entrance to the Hermitage. For citizens of Russia and Belarus, the cost of such a ticket is 400 rubles. Everyone else can buy it for 600 rubles. The museum can be visited free of charge by children and students of any country, as well as pensioners of the Russian Federation.
2. For an excursion conducted in the Diamond Pantry. The cost of such a ticket is 300 rubles. for all categories of citizens.
Both tickets are sold by the Hermitage ticket offices located directly at the entrance. During the high tourist season, you must come for them as early as possible. After all, the number of tickets is limited. High tourist season is considered the time of white nights, May and New Year holidays.
Today, there is the possibility of purchasing tickets on the Internet. To do this, just go to the official website of the museum. True, the cost of tickets with this purchase option will be slightly higher. It will be 580 rubles. for entering the Hermitage, and for participating in a tour of the Diamond Room - 430 rubles.
Also on the Internet you can stumble upon numerous sites of travel agencies that offer tickets at inflated prices. It should be borne in mind that there is no need for intermediaries. Anyone can arrange a visit to the Hermitage and the Diamond Room on their own. Moreover, excursions are conducted only by museum staff. The work of intermediaries consists only in buying tickets, for which an impressive commission is taken.
What time is the Hermitage (Diamond Pantry) open for visiting? Museum opening hours vary slightly depending on the day of the week. So, on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, the Hermitage invites visitors from 10.30 to 18.00. Ticket offices at that work only until 17.00. On Wednesday and Friday, the museum welcomes guests from 10.30 to 21.00. At the same time, you can get to the box office until 20.00. Monday at the Hermitage is a day off.
On Saturday and Sunday, as well as in the summer season, it is recommended to come to the museum either half an hour before the opening, or directly to it. This is due to the large influx of visitors. Anyone who comes later will stand in line for several hours or simply will not get into the museum.
How does the Hermitage's diamond pantry work? The schedule of her excursions can be found by contacting the administrator of the information center on the day of the visit. They are also posted on special stands.
Excursions to the Diamond Room are well organized. After buying a ticket, visitors undress in the wardrobe and go to the museum. The group is assembled thirty minutes before visiting the pantry in the lobby of the museum. This place is indicated by a large plate. Find him help and museum staff. They will willingly point to the right place.
An hour and a half excursion, introducing the exhibits stored by the Hermitage's Diamond Pantry. Visitors are not allowed to make jewelry photos.