Special cushion for carrying the Emperor’s crown, 1762

Special cushion for carrying the Emperor’s crown, 1762, Museum no.TK-1290, © The Moscow Kremlin Museums

Special cushion for carrying the Emperor’s crown
Cloth of gold by Friedrich Wilhelm Nicolaus, gold trimmings by V.Mamonov
1762
Museum no.TK-1290
© The Moscow Kremlin Museums

The Emperor’s crown was one of several pieces comprising the Russian Imperial regalia, all of which were treated like sacred objects. At the coronation, no one was allowed to touch them except the emperor and the high priest.

During the procession, the crown was carried on a special cushion, which itself was made of precious material. It is made of silk woven with gold thread and edged with a fringe of gold bullion, the same spirals of gold wire used for epaulettes, with a tassel on each corner.

Master of ceremonies' cloak, 1797

Master of ceremonies' cloak, 1797, Museum no.TK-1682, © The Moscow Kremlin Museums

Master of ceremonies' cloak
1797
Silver cords and threads
Museum no.TK-1682
© The Moscow Kremlin Museums

Tassels made of gold and silver-wrapped threads are often used in court dress and uniforms. The cloak worn by the Master of Ceremonies at the Russian coronation in 1797 is fastened with silver cords ending in intricate tassels. Tiny florets made of narrow strips of parchment wrapped with silver thread, dangle from richly worked silver finials.