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The Opening of the Permanent Exhibitions in the Museum of Heraldry and the Museum of Decorations in the Konstantinovsky Palace On 9 June 2004 the Konstantinovsky Palace in the St Petersburg suburb of Strelno opened two permanent exhibitions of the State Hermitage, the Museum of Heraldry and the Museum of Decorations. By order of President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin, the Konstantinovsky Palace was given the status of a Palace of Congresses state complex in 2001. An initial exhibition of objects from the collections of the State Hermitage called The State Symbolism of Russia was opened in May, 2003 at the time when the palace’s restoration was completed. During 2004 the Hermitage has been responsible for arranging the interiors of halls and reception rooms in the Konstantinovsky Palace.The new permanent displays contain some of the best works from the Hermitage collections in their special fields. The Museum of Heraldry and the Museum of Decorations provide information on important topics in the history and culture of Russia. Museum of Heraldry This permanent exhibition sets out the history of the coat of arms as a special, multifaceted symbol signifying individuals, communities, cities and state, tracing it back to its very origins. The language of symbols is a universal medium of human communication and of state policy. A large part of the exhibition is devoted to Russian heraldry - state, family and territorial. The Museum of Heraldry includes exhibit items from the pre-existing exhibition called “State Symbolism of Russia.” The history of the Russian state coat of arms can be traced through its various depictions in medals, Byzantine and Russian coins, banners, heralds’ emblems and uniforms. Visitors to the exhibition can see the coats of arms of the most illustrious Russian princely families. The wide-ranging material on display includes tokens and service plates, works of silver and porcelain - all showing the heraldry of Russia. One of the unique items shown here is the Konstantin ruble. The St Petersburg Mint produced only six sample coins with the portrait of Konstantin Pavlovich. The remarkable collection of Western European coins from the Hermitage traces the developmental stages of heraldic symbols in numismatics over time from their appearance in the middle of the 13th century to our own day. The coins are grouped by country, which enables the visitor to follow the evolutionary process of state heraldry in England, France, the Holy Roman Empire, the countries of Scandinavia and Poland. The depiction of coats of arms on coins serves special political goals. It reflects military and political alliances, the ascent to the throne of rulers from other states, and marital alliances. The exhibition also displays coins with the portraits and seals of famous historical personalities such as the Emperor Maximilian I, Empress Maria Theresa, Frederick II, Oliver Cromwell, Albert Wallenstein and many others. Objects of decorative and applied art like arms, dishes and tableware, jewelry were typically richly decorated with coats of arms. One can also see here coins from Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome. Museum of Decorations This permanent exhibition displays the state decorations and medals of Russia, the Soviet Union and the Russian Federation. Visitors can see the first Russian Order - St Andrew - and one of the oldest women’s orders in Europe - the Order of St. Catherine, as well as the Order of Alexander Nevsky. The exhibition also includes decorations for military feats: the Order of Victorious St George, the Great Martyr and golden arms, as well as St George standards. Other items on display are the Order of St Vladimir, and the Order of St Anne, which was brought to Russia by the son of its founder, Peter Ulrich (the future Emperor Peter III), the Order of St. John of Jerusalem (Maltese Cross) and the Polish Orders of the White Eagle and of St. Stanislav. Also of interest are items from table services bearing the symbols of these orders, drawings for clothing made for each of the orders taken from the The Establishment of Russian Orders and commemorative medals marking the anniversaries of the orders. The exhibition acquaints visitors with Russian military and civilian decorations for merit beginning with the time of Emperor Peter the Great up to the age of Nicholas II; decorations of the White Movement from the Civil War; decorations of the USSR, including orders and medals awarded for feats in combat and at work; as well as the state decorations of the Russian Federation, including the restored Orders of St Andrew and St George. The exhibition also features portraits of the founders and knights of the various orders. |
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Copyright © 2006 State Hermitage Museum |
