SHOWCASES 4. MOSCOW JEWELLERY OF THE 15TH CENTURY

The workshops arranged in the Kremlin by Metropolitan Photius played a great role in the development of Moscow jewellery between 1400 and 1430s. Creative contacts between Moscow goldsmiths and the Greeks who came together with Photius favoured making a number of remarkable works of jeweller's art. Local and Byzantine artistic traditions combined originally. The most interesting sample of this kind is the gold filigree ­case for the Byzantine icon of the Mother of God of Vladimir made in the early 15th century.

A new important epoch in the growth of Moscow jewellery falls on the last quarter of the 15th centu­ry—the period of the great political development of the young Russian state. Preserved intact up to date are several valuable church utensils made by Moscow silversmiths for the newly built Kremlin cathedrals. The traditional art of building in some way influenced their shapes and ornamental patterns. A silver censer from the Annunciation Cathedral, as well as the Grand Zion and the Minor Zion from the Assumption Cathedral, are magnificent examp­les of this kind of work.

Two more valuable items of the late 15th century originated from the Assumption Cathedral— a silver holy water bowl and a manuscript Gospel in silver cover. This cover, in which decorative and technical abilities of filigree, cast­ing and enamel were successfully used, is one of the most wonderful works of jeweller's art of the 15th century.