Permanent exposition "Old Russian Needlework and Ornamental Embroidery"

Embroidery was widely used for decoration of old Russian churches along with monumental and easel painting. Fabric details of altars and thrones were covered with embroidery, decorative coffin-covers with embroidered figures of saints were put on shrines and left in tombs. Peleny (embroidered towels) were fixed under church icons often repeating their sacred images. Shrouds with religious scenes ("Laying into the Grave") were used during Easter services. Chalices and patens were covered with smaller-sized shrouds and airy fabrics. Right-sided and ornamental embroidery adorned church garments.

Several years ago a unique exposition was opened in the Ioann building (19th century), connected by a passage with the Granovitaya Palata. The exposition is dedicated to artistic works of Russian embroideresses of the 12th - 17th centuries.

Only a few items have survived since the pre-Mongol period. Among the most interesting of these one could mention the poruchi "Deisus" of the 12th century. They came from the Khutynsky monastery and, according to legend, had been made by the reverend Varlaam of Khutyn.

Image of the Novgorod Kremlin and elected saints. Detail of the homophor of Patriarch Nikon. Mid-17th century. From St. Sophia Cathedral

The Khutyn plashchanitsa (shroud) was made in the middle of the 15th century in the Euphemy workshop (belonging to Novgorod archbishop Euphemy II) and is considered one of the best examples of its kind. The embroidery is prepared in colorful silk threads on a red background in the so-called "painting" style. Two other shrouds displayed at the exposition come from the mid-15th century. One of them - a contribution of prince Dmitry Shemyaka to the Yuriev monastery - was made in 1444 and is distinguished by a rare iconographic idea, according to which Christ's grave is surrounded only with angels bearing ripidy. The other one was put into St. Sophia Cathedral in 1456 by a political rival of Dmitry Shemyaka, Prince Vasily the Dark. These embroideries feature mostly gold and silver threads.

Two coffin shrouds with the image of archbishop Euphemy II and bishop Nikita made in the16th century are believed to be the best among objects of the Novgorod school of embroidery. The exposition is concluded with works of the end of the 16th - 17th centuries - a palitsa, or club "Virgin of the Sign" (workshop of Euphrosinya Staritskaya), a pelena or veil depicting "Calvary" (workshop of Irina Godunova) and an homophor belonging to Patriarch Nikon from St. Sophia Cathedral with images of Moscow and Novgorod Kremlins, embroidered in gold and silk at the sides.

See also the section "Collection of Old Russian Embroidery and Needlework"

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