Permanently Frozen Ice. Rock Crystal in the Hermitage Collection

On 9 June 2006 an exhibition opened in the Blue Bedroom (Room Nr 307) featuring works made of rock crystal, smoked quartz and amethyst. This exhibition brings together for the first time artistically very important works which were kept in various departments of the museum. The wide time span covered, which ranges from the 5th century B.C. to the start of the 20th century, makes it possible to demonstrate in a convincing manner the merits of gem-cutters of different schools, countries and ages and also to compare the unique methods and artistic manner of working this amazingly beautiful and warm "icy" stone.

Collections of works from rock crystal were the pride of the largest courts of Europe. Cut crystal vessels decorated treasure rooms and "kunstkammers" and also served as diplomatic gifts. The State Hermitage has objects which once belonged to Cardinal Aldobrandini, Anna Klevskaya, Jan Sobieski, Augustus the Strong, Peter the Great, Friedrich I and Friedrich Wilhelm.

Works by Chinese stone-cutters of the Qing dynasty (1644-1911) form a separate section of the exhibition. These masters invested their works with profound thought and Chinese cut stone objects are full of symbols and magical subtexts.

A scholarly illustrated catalogue of the exhibition has been issued by the State Hermitage Publishing House. The author of an introductory article and scientific editor of the catalogue as well as originator of the concept for the exhibition is O.G. Kostiuk, senior researcher and principal curator of applied art in the Department of History of Western European Art.

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At the opening of the exhibition

Works by Chinese stone-cutters at the exhibition

At the exhibition

The exhibition catalogue
Larger view