Presentation of the standard of Grand Duke Nikolai Nikolaevich deposited in the State Hermitage for storage

In the St George Hall of the Winter Palace on the Day of St George the personal standard - badge of the Field Marshal Grand Duke Nikolai Nikolaevich Senior, the Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Army in the Balkan war was presented to the State Hermitage. This family relic is given to the Museum by Prince Hikolai Romanovich Pomanov. "Me and my brother Dmitry Romanovich are glad to know that the Hermitage will accept our gift" he mentioned in his letter to Michail Piotrovsky.

The State Hermitage possesses one of the world richest collections of banners, flags and standards. It amounts to more than 6,5 thousand of Russian and trophy banners of 17th - 20th centuries and practically all the standards and flags of the Russian state. The collection also includes around 10 personal badges of Grand Dukes and Field Marshals.

Personal standards (personal badges) appeared in Russia long ago but became popular during Caucasian wars and Russian-Turkish wars of 1877 - 1878. They helped to find the commander during the battle and could perform some signalling functions.

The standard of Grand Duke Nikolai Nikolaevich is a square flag of white colour with blue Orthodox Cross and a ribbon with the words "God With Us" embroidered with a metal thread. In the old pictures and engravings representing episodes of the Russian-Turkish war of 1877 - 1878 one can see this standard carried by a Cossack riding behind the Commander-in-Chief.

The standard is restored by the specialists of the Laboratory of Scientific Restoration of Textiles of the State Hermitage. Next year the standard will be displayed at the exhibition devoted to the 300 anniversry of the Imperial Guards.