The State Hermitage Museum: Exhibitions

This programme is devoted to masterpieces of jewellery and toreutics (artistic metal-working) from the extremely rich collection of the Hermitage Treasure Gallery. Unique antiquities are presented here: Scythian gold - amazing and mysterious works in the Animal Style, colourful pieces from the time of Great Migrations, and the stunningly beautiful and intricate creations of the jewellers of Ancient Greece.

You will see fine examples of the jewellers’ art from Byzantium, mediaeval Russia and Europe, adornments and weapons from the East spangled with precious stones, bowls and vases made from rock crystal and colourful minerals by the craftsmen of Europe.

The Treasure Gallery includes a collection of refined luxury items created by celebrated European and Russian jewellers between the 16th and 20th centuries: pendants made from baroque pearls, table clocks, necessaries and watches on chatelaines, bouquets created from precious stones, rings and brooches, snuffboxes made from gold or semiprecious stones. The majority of these treasures were commissioned by the imperial court or the Russian aristocracy.