Showcase 15. Jewellery artworks of the first half of the XVIIIth century

Items, represented in the showcase, relates to the turn of the XVIIth century, i.e. the period of political, cultural and economic reforms of the Russian state. On the pretext of military and production expenditures which resulted from aggressive foreign policy and building of a new capital in Saint-Petersburg, Peter I issued an decree reducing the number of domestic utensils, made of precious metals. Nevertheless he continued developing the art of jewellery-making as well as a long-term programme of cultural exchange between Russia and countries of Western Europe. Russian makers, having assimilated experience of the foreign artists, perfected their own manner and style as well as special techniques of art processing of metals and stones.

At the XVIIIth century Russian artworks, decorated with open-work embossment, and enamel portrait miniatures became most widespread. Works by the world-renowned portrait painters A. Ovsov and G. Musikiisky, makers of the Armoury Chamber, can be found in museums of Moscow and Saint-Petersburg.

Russian silversmiths have perfected filigree and embossed ornamentation, superimposed on a smooth background. This technique was developed by the Russian makes and used for decoration of gold, silver, glass, enamelled surfaces. In the XVIIIth century one can find articles made entirely of open-work filigree ornament, combined with precious stones, coloured glass or metal.