Diplomatic Gifts from the Armoury Chamber Collection Displayed in Khabarovsk
5 September 2026
Exhibition "Ambassadorial Gifts to Russian Tsars"
Ruslan Gagkuev, Chairman of the Board of the Russian Historical Society, Executive Director of the "History of the Fatherland" Foundation
Olga Dmitrieva, Deputy Director General for Development of Enlightenment and Popularization at the Moscow Kremlin Museums
Ivan Kryukov, General Director of the Khabarovsk Territorial Museum named after N.I. Grodekov
Exhibition "Ambassadorial Gifts to Russian Tsars". Display Fragment.
Exhibition "Ambassadorial Gifts to Russian Tsars". Display Fragment.
Exhibition "Ambassadorial Gifts to Russian Tsars". Display Fragment.
Exhibition "Ambassadorial Gifts to Russian Tsars". Display Fragment.
Visitors to the Exhibition
Visitors to the Exhibition
Visitors to the Exhibition
On September 5, 2026, the exhibition "Ambassadorial Gifts to the Russian Tsars", dedicated to the precious items that Russian monarchs received as diplomatic gifts from foreign rulers in the 17th century, opened at the Khabarovsk Territorial Museum named after N.I. Grodekov.
Ruslan Gagkuev, Chairman of the Board of the Russian Historical Society, Executive Director of the "History of the Fatherland" Foundation; Olga Dmitrieva, Deputy Director General for Development of Enlightenment and Popularization at the Moscow Kremlin Museums, and Ivan Kryukov, General Director of the Khabarovsk Territorial Museum named after N.I. Grodekov, participated in the grand opening ceremony.
When we talk about the history of diplomacy, the first things that come to mind are treaties, negotiations, and documents published in compilations. Yet this history can also be studied in a different way. The exhibition of gifts presented by foreign embassies offers a particularly fascinating insight into the era. It reveals not only the countries that offered these gifts, but, to an even greater extent, tells us about ourselves — about how Russia was perceived at the time and what status our state held in the 17th century.
The exhibition covers a broad chronological span: from the enthronement of Tsar Mikhail Fyodorovich Romanov to the onset of the reforms of Peter the Great. Visitors can see a variety of dishes and jugs brought as part of the diplomatic gifts from England and Holland; magnificent cups sent to Tsar Mikhail Fyodorovich by King Christian IV of Denmark; presents from the Swedish monarchs, including striking “rassolnik” decorative serving bowls; candlesticks and table decorations crafted by masters from the leading artistic centres of Germany; objects made from the renowned Iranian wootz steel; as well as exquisite luxury items in jade and rock crystal—gifts from Greek merchants.
Gifts have always been a point in favor of peace and a means of maintaining peaceful relationships. In such moments, guns remain silent.
The display concludes with the gifts presented by the last “great” embassy of the 17th century - the mission that arrived in Moscow from Stockholm in 1699. Its departure coincided with the beginning of preparations for the Northern War, a conflict that would see Russia emerge victorious, be proclaimed an empire, and take its place among the leading powers of the world.
Dates: 5 September, 2026 – 10 January, 2027
Venue: Khabarovsk Territorial Museum named after N.I. Grodekov