June is for Jewelers
This June, we are putting the spotlight on the extraordinary world of Imperial Russian jewelers! We invite you to explore the breathtaking artistry of legendary firms such as Fabergé, Nicholls & Plincke, Lorie, and Bolin through a month of special programming, curated articles, and illuminating video content.
Featured Programs
Second Saturday Online Lecture: The Russian Silver Age and Its Legacy
Saturday, June 14
Discover the dazzling cultural renaissance of early 20th-century Russia in a free online lecture with Dr. Galina Rylkova. The Silver Age was a time of poetic brilliance, philosophical exploration, and a golden moment for Russian decorative arts, including the masterworks of its finest jewelers.
In-Person Lecture & Special Viewing: Fabergé and Beyond: The Story Behind the Glitter
Thursday, June 26
Join us in person for an unforgettable evening with Dr. Karen Kettering, one of the leading experts on Russian decorative arts. Her lecture will delve into the fascinating histories and artistic innovations behind the glittering legacy of Fabergé and his contemporaries.
As a special treat, the evening will include a pop-up display of seldom-seen presentation pieces from the museum’s collection.
Get Your Fabergé Fix
We’ve handpicked a treasure trove of content to delight jewelry lovers and history buffs alike.
Enjoy five featured articles and presentations, plus a bonus video, on the art of Fabergé and other acclaimed jewelers, highlighting the exquisite detail, craftsmanship, and stories behind some of their iconic creations.
1. Grand Duke Konstantin’s Sumptuous Fabergé Frame (Article)
Why was this splendid gift commissioned? How did it escape confiscation after the revolution? Read the full story behind a unique Fabergé masterpiece that once belonged to the Romanovs and is on display in our current exhibition, Mysteries and Odysseys.
Caroline de Guitaut, Deputy Surveyor of the Queen’s Works of Art, explores the stories behind some of the most important Fabergé pieces in the British Royal Collection.
In its scale, quality, and diversity, the collection has few parallels. But in its unique formation—acquired by six successive generations of the royal family, from Queen Victoria to the Prince of Wales—it stands alone.
3. Exquisite Religious Artifacts (Article)
Seven sumptuous religious artifacts, seven fascinating stories. Lavishly fashioned from gold, silver, enamel, ivory, and gemstones, each piece dazzles with its expert artistry—but beneath the surface lies a rich, often poignant history shaped by the seismic events of the 20th century.
4. Unlocking Baron Mestmacher’s Fabergé Coffer (Video)
Among the most striking pieces in the Russian History Museum’s collection is a silver presentation box by the firm of Fabergé, decorated with Egyptian figures, enameled coats of arms, and an engraved dedication to Baron Pavel Pavlovich Mestmacher. Executive Director Michael Perekrestov and former museum curator Nick Nicholson talk about this silver masterpiece and discuss heraldry, Russian nobility, conservation, and much more in this livestream.
Beginning with Catherine I’s reign in 1725 until the Russian Revolution of 1917, St. Petersburg’s goldsmiths perfected their craft, and soon the quality of Russia’s jewelry equaled, if not surpassed, the best that Europe’s capitals could offer. Jewelry expert Marie Betteley explores the masterworks of jewelers such as Pauzié, Bolin, Koechli, Nicholls & Plincke, and others, illustrating her presentation with a stunning display of Imperial era treasures.
Discover never-before-seen footage of Princess Vera Konstantinovna Romanova, one of our museum’s early supporters, as she discusses a priceless Fabergé family heirloom. In this clip, Princess Vera shares the story behind a stunning silver presentation frame created by Fabergé in 1909, now part of our collection.
