Falconry. Royal Entertainment

Cloth
Velvet – Italy, 17th century; lace – Russia, 17th century.
Velvet, lace, satin, cord, cotton; weaving, brading
Flintlock harquebus, with ramrod
Russia, Moscow, 17th century.
Iron, wood, mother-of-pearl; forging, inlay, chasing, engraving
Rifled flintlock carbine, with ramrod
Russia, Moscow, 17th century.
Silver, iron, wood, ivory, mother-of-pearl; gilding, inlay, forging, chasing, engraving
Saddle
Russia, Moscow, second half of the 17th century.
Wood, velvet, silver, galloon, lace, leather; gilding, carving, appliqué weaving
Stirrups
Russia, Moscow, 17th century.
Gold, steel; forging, damascening

28.07.2017 – 14.01.2018

Moscow, The Moscow State Integrated Art and Historical Architectural and Natural Landscape Museum-Reserve

Organized by:: The Moscow State Integrated Art and Historical Architectural and Natural Landscape Museum-Reserve

Participants:: The Moscow State Integrated Art and Historical Architectural and Natural Landscape Museum-Reserve, The Moscow Kremlin Museums

The Moscow Kremlin Museums participate in the display held at the exhibition halls of the Sytny Yard of the Moscow State Integrated Museum, dedicated to falconry – the object of cultural heritage of mankind and a significant part of world environmental culture. This project, aimed at enlightening the ecological, historical and cultural spheres, is organized within the Year of Ecology 2017.

The falconry developed in Russia in the turn of the 8th–9th centuries, and flourished in the times of reign of Tsar Alexey Mikhailovich, who was passionate about hunting with birds. It was his times of reign when this branch of ancient art gained particular aesthetics and significance.

The display comprises more than two hundred items of the 9th–21st centuries reproducing the atmosphere and its ethnic specifics peculiar to the tradition of court falconry. The Moscow Kremlin Museums introduce unique objects of the 17th century, related to the royal departure for hunting, which was an important part of the court ceremonial, aimed at demonstrating the sovereign’s authority and power, as well as splendour and majesty of the Royal court to his subjects and foreign guests.

In those times, parade horses in ceremonial harness were the adornment of the solemn procession. The exhibited saddle with low bows and a panel attached to a seat, a cloth made of green velvet with brocaded lace, steel stirrups decorated by craftsmen of the Armoury Chamber with gold inlay—all these items were produced at the Stables Treasury Workshops of the Moscow Kremlin.

The firearm was a pride of the Armoury Chamber’s masters. It was not used during the falconry; nevertheless, it was a part of the ceremonial equipment. One of the first harquebuses made in European style for Mikhail Feodorovich is a perfect example of it.

The rifled flintlock carbine executed by a renowned armourer Timofey Luchaninov amazes by its rich adornment. The lock is entirely carved and gilded; the rifle stock is decorated with inlays of engraved mother-of-pearl and silver wire.

The display of genuine museum items related to this reviving art will definitely awake interest in history and aesthetics of a unique sport of falconry.