N e w s

This is how Peter the Great in his decree of Dec 11, 1719 ordered to store things belonging to the state: crown, scepter and other state regalia and precious articles.

Like in a fairytale the three keys were distributed between the tsar’s confidants. Thus started the history of Gokhran, 280th anniversary of which is being celebrated by the display “Zolotaya Kazna Rossii” at the Pushkin State Museum. The activities of this institution with a longest name, part of Ministry of Finance (called Gokhran of State Fund for short) have always been a mystery. This was especially true of post-revolutionary years, it is still not clear how diamonds were mined and used for the sponsoring of the ‘dictatorship of proletariat’. In 1987 part of the mystery was revealed: a constant exposition of the Treasury began its functioning. The current display is meant to continue the process, moreover, a similar display will be soon held in Berlin.

In fact, diamonds, rough or cut, as well as beryls, emeralds, amethysts, and aquamarines are not the biggest part of the display but traditionally the most enigmatic. However, a smallest diamond on the ring finger of a beautiful lady can produce a much stronger impression than the diamond “Udarnik of Communist Labor” weighting 138.83 carats. Supposing you have managed to cope with the desire to own the scene is not the most moving one. The same can be said about gold nuggets weighting up to 12 kg, let alone gold and silver bullions from Russia, Switzerland, Italy and Germany.

As a matter of fact we expect not as many material values, as artistic and scientific. Non-specialists in mineralogy, faleristics and numismatics can only judge the esthetic qualities of the displayed items. In general they can be called high, though the disposition side by side of huge memory medals of the times of Catherine the Great and pretentious modernist style jewellry makes you think of the dungeon of Koschei The Deathless. Well, the actual idea was to present a full scope of the state treasures, recently widen by a new item. Gokhran Jewellers have made minuscule copies of orb and scepter (of gold, platinum, diamonds and a large sapphire) for the anniversary. Taking into consideration that President of Russia is in charge of not only the “black box” but ithe Fund of precious metals and stones, why not include these things in the list of items used for official ceremonies?

The display continues a recently established tradition of the Museum to expose articles of jewellry and numismatics. The tradition began with the display “Trojan Treasures from Genrih Schlimann Findings”. The exposition will soon be on display again. The new display windows will contain jewellry and items of the times of Agamemnon. The articles of the current exposition will return back to the chest and the three confidants will turn their keys in the locks until the next anniversary of Gokhran.

Velimir Moist

Source: Gazeta.ru