Precious tableware of Old Rus
Quaich: charka

Quaich. Moscow, 1501-1534. Belonged to Grand Prince Vasili III
Quaich. Russia, 1609. Belonged to Tsar Vasily Shuisky
Quaich. Russia, Moscow, the last quarter of the XVIIth century
Quaich. Russia, Moscow, the XVIIth century. Belonged to Tsar Mikhail Fyodorovich
Quaich. Russia, Moscow, the Moscow Kremlin Museums, 1609-1650. Belonged to Tsar Mikhail Fyodorovich
Quaich. Russia, Moscow, 1636. Granted to Tsarevich Ivan by his mother, Tsarina Eudokia Lukianovna, the second wife of Mikhail I Fyodorovich

Quaich - charka - is a round drinking vessel, forms of which are representative of traditional tableware of Old Rus.

Quaiches were used for serving a special strong drink called "Tsar's wine". Having been executed of precious metals, rare wood, semiprecious stones, they were decorated with chased foliate design or images of birds and pelagians. Delicate ornamental decoration of the charka also included inscription with a name of the owner.

The Armoury collection contains several examples of such a Russian national vessel. One of them is made of rock crystal and bears an inscription on a dark blue enamel ground showing that it was the property of Tsar Mikhail Fyodorovich. Delicacy of the translucent stone and its striking beauty are brought out by a lavish gold surround. Its handle is finished with brilliant green and white enamel and decorated with sparkling precious stones - emeralds and tourmalines.