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View the masterpieces of this collection Panoramic view of Hall 3 of the Gold Rooms Since olden times the treasure-store of the Russian tsars contained works by the skilled craftsmen of the East: gold utensils and vessels, jewellery, arms and armour sprinkled with precious stones - rubies, diamonds, emeralds and pearls, and embellished with magnificent enamels. The collection of Indian 17th-century jewellery is almost the only one in the world. Of particular interest are twenty items from the time of the Great Moghuls that come from a diplomatic gift made by Shah Nadir of Persia to the Russian Empire in 1741. They include gold vessels for fragrances, enamelled boxes and trays, a lidded cup and a miniature table. On display is a remarkable ring used to draw the string of a bow made of gold with a large diamond, emeralds and rubies. It belonged to Shah Jahan who had the Taj Mahal built. The dress weapons of the East are magnificent - Indian, Persian and Turkish swords and daggers in gold and silver scabbards. These elegantly shaped weapons are often made from the celebrated damask steel and decorated with precious stones. The keen interest in the Orient that arose in 18th-century Russia is reflected by some wonderful Chinese items of the 17th and 18th centuries. Gold vessels and incense-burners, boxes and flasks, hairpins and brooches were produced in filigree woven in various patterns and are sometimes decorated with polished coloured stones. The unique exhibits include gold stands and a sumptuous enamelled gold tray made in Iran in the early 19th century for ten little English porcelain cups bearing portraits of Shah Fath Ali and his heir Abbas Mirza. View the masterpieces of this collection Panoramic view of Hall
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