MOSCOW AND THE KREMLIN

The left part of the showcase is occupied by three monuments of plastic art made by Moscow carvers in the 17th century—they are the high reliefs, which had been fixed to the background wall or to a side of a ‘kiot’ (icon-case).

St Nicholas of Mozhaysk—a carved 17th-century image originating from the Church of St Nicholas in the Kremlin territory—was deeply venerated in Moscow. The saint is represented with a sword in his right hand (has been lost) and a “town” in his left hand. According to the legend, he had appeared just in such image before the people in Mozhaysk, which was under siege by the Mongol-Tatar forces. From then, this image of St Nicholas of Mozhaysk has become widespread in Russia as the defender of the Russian towns. Master of the Armoury Chamber, monk Ippolit, originating from Belorussia, is considered to be the author of this sculpture. Wood carving is combined with stamping on gesso, tempera and gilding.

Another wonder-working icon in the mid-17th century was the icon of Our Lady of the Passion (Our Lady of Sorrows). The wooden sculpture on display was executed in the second half of the 17th century; it repeats the famous icon. Only the central part of the icon has survived until today.

A special place among the carved sculptures is occupied by the carved images of the Moscow hierarchs. According to the 19th-century sources, they were meant for their shrines kept in the Assumption Cathedral of the Kremlin. It had been a tradition to adorn the saints' reliquaries with their images. Such wooden shrines have been known in Russia from the 16th century. The carved image of St Jonah the Metropolitan of Moscow, dating back to the second half of the 17th century, must have been made by the masters of the Armoury Chamber, which is certified by the difficult technique and high artistic quality of the object.