SHOWCASE 5. MOSCOW GOLDSMITHERY IN THE 16TH CENTURY

The 16th century was the flourishing period of jewellery-making in Russia. By the time Grand Prince Ivan IV the Terrible assumed the title of the tsar in 1547, Moscow has become the political and cultural centre of Muscovy. The items for the Royal processions, receptions and banquets were created by the best jewellers, armourers, harness-makers, and cart wrights of the Moscow Kremlin workshops. All of them are marked by a refined simplicity, logic of forms and elegance of austere and precise ornament. One of the interesting pieces of art of that period is the Panagia of the mid-16th century. Each side of the Panagia bears carved images—of three hierarchs, St Gregory of Nazianzus, St Basil the Great and St John Chrysostom, as well as the images of Our Lady of the Sign, Trinity and Crucifixion. The jewellers of Ancient Rus’ were familiar with niello in the 10th century. But the real flourish of the art of niello began in the middle of the 16th century. One of the examples is the round gold dish which was a wedding present from Ivan IV to his wife. The small reliquary of 1589 is noteworthy for its elegance and fine niello pattern. This pectoral reliquary icon consists of two panels with the Virgin Enthroned and St Irene. It was executed under the decree of Tsar Feodor Ioannovich for his wife, Tsarina Irina Godunova.