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10: The Study between the Antechamber and Varvara’s Chamber

Medal cabinet

Second half of the 17th century

Germany

This small German-made cabinet from the second half of the 17th century made of ebony and stained wood with a guilloche pattern contains a reconstructed part of Menshikov’s numismatic collection, the composition of which has been established from documents. It is possible that the first items in the Prince’s collection dated from the time of his journey to the Netherlands in 1697 as part of the Great Embassy. The collection contained both gold items and those made of inexpensive metals. It numbers not less than 1500 Russian, European and Eastern coins and medals. Menshikov’s collection was partially absorbed into the Hermitage’s numismatic stocks. The bulk of it, however, was moved to Moscow and melted down when a silver tomb was created for Peter II’s sister Natalia Alexeyevna.

 

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