Showcase 47. Thrones of the first Tsars of the Romanov dynasty of the XVIIth century

Thrones played an important role in official ceremonies of the XVIIth-XIXth centuries. In the XVIIIth century thrones stood on a high stepped dais beneath a capony, and were often the only pieces of furniture in the enormous hall.

The showcase 47 presents two thrones of the Romanov dynasty. The throne of Tsar Mikhail Fyodorovich was executed at the beginning of the XVIIth century from the old chair of oriental workmanship which had belonged to Ivan the Terrible. In its form, high back and arms, it resembles Russian armchairs, but oriental motifs still remain in the ornament. The throne is faced with embossed gold and adorned with rubies, pearls, turquoise and other uncut stones.

The shape of the so-called “diamond armchair” of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich, the most elaborate of the Royal thrones in the Armoury collection, is reminiscent of the throne of Tsar Mikhail, his father. Granted to Tsar Alexei by the Armenian trading company in Persia in 1660, the throne has been made of sandalwood faced with gold and silver plates with foliate ornamentation. Its bottom is decorated with a bold carved pattern depicting a procession of elephants and drivers on their backs. The back of the throne is covered with black velvet and embroidered images of two genii supporting a crown over the inscription glorifying the Tsar and his power. The whole surface of the throne is faced with an intricate mosaic of turquoise and diamonds.