Tsars and the East. Gifts from Turkey and Iran in the Moscow Kremlin

Helmet - "Jericho cap"
Turkey, the late XVIth — early XVIIth century.
Brought from Istanbul by ambassador A. Pronchishchev.
Damask steel, precious stone, turquoise, fabric, white metal; forging, embossing, damascening with gold, carving
Shestopyor (six-feathered flanged mace)
Turkey, Istanbul, mid XVIIth century.
Gold, wood, fabric interwoven with threads of gold, almandine, emeralds, rubies; carving, embossing, enamelling
Ambassadorial axe
Turkey, the early XVIIth century.
Gold, silver, damask steel, wood.
Forging, embossing, chiselling, насечка золотом, gilding
Bowl (chasha)
Turkey, the XVIIth century.
Gold, nephrite, precious stones, carving, overlay ornament.
Gift, presented to Tsar Mikhail Fyodorovich by Greek merchant Yuri Panagiot in 1632.
Curtain
Manufacture - Russia, the XVIIth century.
Figured velvet - Turkey, first half of the XVIIth century.
Figured velvet with gilded silver threads, gilded fringe; weaving
Drinking horn
Iran, first half of the XVIIth century.
Gold, silver, precious stones, buffalo horn, green glass insets; embossing, repoussé, pouncing, casting, enamel
Helmet with mask
Iran, the XVIth century.
Steel; engraving, forging, gilding
Matara-flask (waterskin)
Turkey, the XVIIth century.
Leather, flattened silver wire, silk, nephrite, silver, rock crystal, rubies, emeralds, gold, glass; gilding, embroidery, carving, niello
Plaque-panagia
Turkey, Istanbul, the XVIIth century.
Gold, silver, precious stones; embossing, carving, enamel
Saadak (bow case and quiver)
Russia, Moscow, the XVIIth century, Moscow Kremlin workshops.
Goat leather, silver, velvet, silver threads; embroidery, carving, niello
Sabre and scabbard of the "Grand Attire" with belt
Russia, Moscow, first half of the XVIIth century.
The Moscow Kremlin workshops, Armoury Chamber; the blade - Turkey, 1624.
Gold, silver, damask steel, wood, precious stones, turquoise, nephrite, pearls; forging, carving, chiselling, enamel, inlay, damascening, gilding.
Belonged to Tsar Mikhail Fyodorovich
Saddle
Turkey, mid XVIIth century.
Gold, silver, copper, iron, wood, goat leather, precious stones, pearls, gilded threads, velvet; chasing, gilding, embroidery, weaving
Sakkos (dalmatic) of Patriarch Joseph
Satin - Turkey, first half of the XVIIth century, embroidery - Russia, 1642-1652.
Satin interwoven with threads of gold and silver, velvet, taffeta; weaving, embroidery, gilding
Tankard
Turkey, Istanbul, mid XVIIth century.
Rock crystal, gold, rubies, emeralds; carving, inlay.
Gifted by Cyril I Lucaris, the Patriarch of Constantinople, to Tsar Mikhail Fyodorovich in 1632.

February, 27, 2014 - May, 18, 2014

Portugal, Lisbon, Calouste Gulbenkian Museum

Organized by:: the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, Calouste Gulbenkian Museum, Moscow Kremlin Museums

The Calouste Gulbenkian hosts a remarkable exposition of about 60 masterpieces offered as lavish gifts and tributes by the Ottomans and Safavids to the Tsars through large embassies, diplomatic missions, and trade delegations. The exhibition explores the history and peculiarities of active diplomatic and trade relations between Russia and eastern countries starting from the period of the Golden Horde.

Ranging in date from the late XVIth century to the late XVIIth century, artworks from the Kremlin collection include rarely seen arms and armor, bejeweled ceremonial vessels, state regalia, church utensils and vestments, intended for the Russian court or the Orthodox Church.

The exposition reveals the artistic excellence of the presented historical relics, their artistic and cultural impact, and the aesthetic and ceremonial etiquette they inspired, that became a defining characteristic of the Russian court and of the XVIIth century.

"This exhibition is noteworthy for being the first time that a Portuguese museum has presented these pieces, which are striking for the richness of the precious stones that decorate them, the sumptuous fabrics from which many of the objects are made, and their hitherto unprecedented originality. It will certainly constitute one of the most remarkable and original series of pieces ever presented at the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum."*

From the official website of the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum.