SHOWCASE 33. AMBASSADORIAL GIFTS. SWEDEN

Relations between Russia and Sweden in the 17th century are illustrated by the museum's largest collection of Swedish ambassadorial gifts by German makers from the renowned centres of gold- and silversmithing, i.e. Nuremberg, Augsburg and Hamburg. A group of items executed by Swedish craftsmen occupies an important place of the collection and is worthy of particular attention. The showcase represents more than two hundred articles of tableware and interior decoration, lavish offerings from Queen Christina (1647), Charles X Gustav, Charles XI and Charles XII (1658, 1674, 1684 and 1699), including dozens of magnificent silver sweetmeat bowls, globes, hand-washing sets and candlesticks cast in the shape of figures of Venus, Juno and Minerva. A sizable assortment of gifts from Charles XII to Peter I was delivered to Moscow in 1699, shortly before the outbreak of the Northern War, which finally gave Russia access to the Baltic Sea.

Silver-making was not developed in Sweden as an independent all-sufficient branch of the industry but under the influence of foreign makers having been invited to the court. Nevertheless, their mastery and experience helped Swedish silversmiths to perfect the technique of metalworking so that goldsmithery of Sweden flourished in the late 17th century. In spite of the undoubted influence of German makers, Swedish silverware had got features of its own both in the form of the articles and in the predominance of certain types of technique, such as filigree work.