Diamond Fund of the Kremlin. Excursion to the Kremlin. The Diamond Fund of Russia

Everyone who has ever been interested in the museums of Moscow knows about the Diamond Fund of the Kremlin. Few galleries of the capital cause such admiration and interest.

The Diamond Fund of the Kremlin is a unique collection of works of jewelry art of the 18-20th centuries. His collection also features nuggets of stunning precious metals, examples of rare precious stones. Each of the items of the exhibition represents a great scientific and artistic interest, as well as a huge material value.

A bit from the history of the museum

The collection of the foundation began to be created in the eighteenth century. Peter I, taking an example from the monarchs of Europe, issued a decree stating that the treasures that are kept in the royal chambers are not recognized as property of the Russian tsars, they belong to the state, being a national property. After Peter's "Raffle", valuables were kept in the premises allocated for this, and from 1839 - in the Winter Palace (in the Diamond Office). Jewelry and regalia to the reigning individuals were issued only "for temporary use."

Wishing to outshine the luxury of foreign rulers, the Russian tsars and tsars tried to increase the wealth of their yard. Under Catherine II and Elizabeth, especially large deposits were made.

After the outbreak of World War I, all values were taken out of Petrograd in a haphazard and hasty manner, without an inventory. They were taken to the Moscow Kremlin (the Armory Chamber), where they remained in obscurity for about eight years.

After the October Revolution, the Hermitage collection and the treasures of the Kremlin miraculously survived. At the beginning of the last century, no country had such a stock of jewelry, jewelry, like Russia.

Five years later, the commission began to work on the examination and identification of items of jewelry and applied art. Thanks to them, the unique artistic and historical value of the former Diamond Cabinet was confirmed. In addition, the commission noted the need to preserve and study the collection intact, including it in the State Depository.

Despite this, a total sale of relics began. So, 1923 became the most dramatic in the history of the fund. At that time, because of Russian jewelry, appeared at the auctions in London, Berlin, Amsterdam and Antwerp, there was a real political scandal. Further, in 1925, in the House of Unions, it was decided to open an exhibition of unsold relics returned from abroad to demonstrate them unscathed and intact, to hush up the scandal, thereby convincing the world of its own solvency.

On this sale of antiques and jewelry did not end. From 1925-1936 years. The main part of works with unique gems and diamonds was sold. These masterpieces will remain only in photographs, while they will never return to Russia.

In 1967 an exhibition of the Diamond Fund was opened. At the same time, everyone was interested in an excursion to the Kremlin. The exhibition aroused incredible interest and was prolonged several times, without becoming a museum. The inviolable part of the country's gold and foreign currency reserves has remained subordinate to the Ministry of Finance.

In the Diamond Fund of Russia, every leader of the USSR considered it necessary to launch his hand. Khrushchev almost gave the hat of Monomakh to one of the young developing states, and under Brezhnev one of the orders with diamonds disappeared. In 1989, a large number of valuable icons were sold from auctions.

Undoubtedly, products of modern jewelers, collections of platinum and gold nuggets, Yakut diamonds were also received. But much more unique works went to museums and private collections of different countries. The location of various priceless creations is still unknown.

The Diamond Fund of the Kremlin for today

At the moment, the historical part of the collection is about seventy items. The main part of the exposition since 1967 was replenished after the discovery of diamond deposits in Yakutia, and also after the government's decision to send stones weighing more than fifty carats to be stored in the Kremlin's Diamond Fund.

For visitors to the museum, viewing the exhibition usually begins with a showcase in which precious minerals are exhibited. In this place there are large technical and jewelry stones weighing tens of thousands of carats. Besides diamonds, the excursion to the Diamond Fund involves viewing sapphires, emeralds and other jewelry, as well as ornamental stones and Ural gems. Excursions, which are daily poured into the halls by an uninterrupted flow, also stop at the exhibits "7 Wonders of the Diamond Fund". This included the diamond Shah (88.70 carats), which retained its natural form, the Earl of the Eagles (189.62 carats), formerly occupying a place of honor on the emperor's scepter, a flat unique diamond, a sapphire blue (258, 18 carats), as well as the largest chrysolite in the world.

The main among the values of the treasury of Russia is considered by right the Great Imperial Crown. Jeremiah Pose, a court jeweler, made it in 1762, commissioned by Catherine II. The crown is decorated with pearls and a scatter of diamonds, but its most valuable part is a huge ruby (398.72 carats), which is included in the number of 7 unique foundation stones.

Many Kremlin guests are extremely interested in the Kremlin's museums. For a perfectly understandable reason, the Diamond Fund has become one of the most visited.

The Great Imperial Crown

It is a crown created in 1762 by Eckart (jeweler) and Jeremiah Pose (diamond craftsman) for Catherine II. The master ordered 4936 diamonds in silver, emphasizing the glittering of lace of them with two rows of matte large pearls. The noble design of the crown is beautiful, and is filled with the deepest meaning. The grid of the hemispheres is supported from below by the laurel branches, which are symbols of glory and power. And between the hemispheres in the figure of the garland are placed acorns and oak leaves, symbolizing the strength and strength of power. Also on the crown is a noble spinel, a very rare gem of a rich red color. This is one of the most important works of art, which contains the Diamond Fund of the Kremlin.

The Little Imperial Crown

It was created in 1856 by the jeweler Zeftigen for the coronation of Maria Alexandrovna. It is made in the likeness of a great crown; On both sides of the lattice are decorated with quartet, a diamond cross rises on an arc, with the lower edge of the crown decorated with 22 large diamonds. It draws the attention of everyone who visited the Diamond Fund of the Kremlin (photo can be seen in this article).

Scepter Imperial

It was made for Catherine II in the early 1770s. Used materials: diamond "Orlov", gold, diamonds, enamel, silver.

The Imperial State

It was founded in 1762 by G.-F. Eckart (court jeweler) for Catherine II. Materials: gold, sapphire, diamonds, silver, diamond. In the early seventies of the eighteenth century, it was decorated with two stones, which changed its appearance. Between the half-hoop and the diamond cross-edged cross, a huge sapphire (200 carats) was placed surrounded by diamonds, and a large diamond (46.92 carats), exceptionally clean, with a light bluish tint of stone, was placed at the junction of the girdle with the half-hoop. The state acquired its present form under Paul I. There was a huge sapphire under the cross, while a large diamond was placed between the diamond belts.

Diamond Shah

This is a diamond from India in 88.7 carats. Absolutely transparent, a little brownish-yellowish shade of stone. The furrow on it says that they wore it instead of a mascot. 3 names of its owners, engraved on it, as well as corresponding dates are clearly visible.

"Ruby of Caesar"

The stone is pinkish-raspberry juicy color, with which the green enamel with golden leaves, located on a forked stem, neatly covered with black and white enamel, is perfectly combined. The stone is cut with a bunch of grapes.

Diamond Sign with the Star of the Order of St. Andrew

The first in time appearance of the Russian order, which was before 1917 the highest award of the empire. The star decorated with diamonds with a cross became the highest order, complimented at the discretion of Peter I.

Excursions to the Diamond Fund

For those wishing to see the exposition, excursions are conducted here every day, except on public holidays and on Thursday. The work is carried out in the form of sessions. In the Kremlin Diamond Fund tickets can also be purchased for foreigners - individual tours are held in different languages.

The exposition will be interesting to everyone, regardless of nationality and age.