History and culture: Exhibition “Ancient arms from the collection of the State Hermitage Museum” in Vyborg

May 23, 2014 in the exhibition center "Hermitage-Vyborg" opened an exhibition "Ancient arms of the State Hermitage Museum", which will feature about 250 unique monuments of arms and paintings of the four departments of the State Hermitage Museum. 

The main part of the exhibits is stored in the Arsenal of the State Hermitage Museum, the beginning of the collection which was initiated by Grand Duke Nikolai Pavlovich, the future Emperor Nicholas I, a passionate lover and collector of antique weapons. The collection is enriched by the trophies acquisitions in Western auctions and private sales of historical and art collections, as well as through gifts - from heads of state, diplomats, gunsmiths and collectors.

The exhibition "Ancient arms from the Hermitage collection" consists of three sections, the first of which tells the story of European weapons of the X - XIX centuries, the second is devoted to weapons of the East, from the XVI century, in the third Russian weapons are products of the arm school of the XVII-XIX centuries.

The exposition presents the development of arms and weapons from the Viking Age to revolvers "Smith and Wesson" of the XIX century. The exhibition presents the entire typological range of weapons: combat and hunting, ceremonial and sports, and dueling tournament, experimental and being in service for many decades.

In addition to the technical characteristics is exhibited an interesting weapon of art and skillful performance. Some instances of ceremonial weapons are interesting from the point of view of the memorial. So, the saber "Glory" was made by famous master I. N. Bushuyev for Alexander and was presented to him when visiting Zlatoust in 1824. Its multi-blade engraved battle scenes of the Patriotic War of 1812, decorated with gilded hilt pommel of the figure of the goddess Fame with trumpet and wreath in hands, sheath decorated with floral ornaments in the art of gilding.