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View the masterpieces of this collection Panoramic view of Hall 4 of the Diamond Rooms The Hermitage’s ownership of a collection of gilded silver statuettes decorated with precious and decorative stones is a by-product of Peter the Great’s travels around Europe. In the early 18th century the craftsmen of Saxony were famous not only for their ability to combine a variety of materials, but also for their inventiveness and humour. Empress Anna Ioannovna was fond of luxury and added to the palace stores some remarkable examples of decorative tableware made by the masters of Augsburg. The work of German goldsmiths is represented by plats-de-menage and a gold toilet set that was created in Johann Ludwig Biller’s workshop in the 1730s. The reign of Empress Elizabeth brought a host of highly varied snuffboxes in the form of baskets, irregular ovals, rectangles, little chests-of-drawers, flowers and fruit. Apart from their immediate functional purpose, snuffboxes were used as awards, and also as personal and diplomatic gifts. No less popular than snuffboxes were watches. They were attached to the waist by special chains known as chatelaines. Watches were made in gold, silver and various metal alloys and decorated with precious stones and enamel. By the late 18th century Catherine II’s Hermitage included watches and bracelets, fans and rings, pendants and brooches, hair ornaments and necessaires. The collection of table clocks contained works by English, French and Swiss craftsmen. |
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Copyright © 2011 State Hermitage Museum |
