Regalia of the Russian tsars are the insignia of tsars and emperors of Russia, who ruled from the 13th to the 19th century. Over the centuries, the specific items used by Tsars changed greatly; the largest such shift occurred in the 18th century, when Peter the Great reformed the state to align it more closely with Western European monarchies.
After the Russian Revolution, the Bolsheviks sold the majority of the Romanovs' regalia, but the most important items, including the key coronation regalia, were placed in the Kremlin Armoury. Since 1967, they have been available for public viewing through the Diamond Fund permanent exposition.
Oldest Russian regalia
From the 13th to the end of the 14th century, the main insignia of knyaz power were the decorated barmas and the knyaz belts. A barma is a neckpiece or mantle made of gold encrusted with gems and diamonds. Such treasured items were hereditary and closely connected to the knyazs' names; as such, they were always mentioned in the wills. The Barmas Barmas of Old Ryazan were produced by masters of Old Ryazan in late 12th - early 13th century. They are one of the greatest masterpieces of ancient jewellery. The barmas belonged to the local knyaz family, but in 1237 the city was completely destroyed by Batu Khan, so the forsaken jewellery lay underground for nearly 600 years. In 1822, the royal barmas were found by archaeologists and brought to the Kremlin Armory. These precious barmas are high-craft masterpieces, enamelled and encrusted with gems. Some of the barmas have gold medallions with Greek engravings, presumably of Byzantine origin. The Monomakh's Cap
The oldest crown is the "Cap of Monomakh" or Crown of Monomakh, used in the ceremony of crowning a monarch in Russia. Its name is connected with a Russian legend of the 15th century, according to which it was brought to Russia in ancient times as a gift from the Byzantine Emperor Constantine Monomachos. The cap is of oriental workmanship of the late 13th or early 14th century. The question of its origin is still unspecified. The oldest section of the crown consists of eight gold plates adorned with very fine gold lace in a pattern of six-pointed rosette stars and lotus blossoms. The semi-spherical top with a cross, the sable trimming and the pearls and gemstones belong to a later period. It weighs 698 grams and is the lightest Russian crown. From the late 14th to the late 17th century, the Cap of Monomakh a symbol of power, was used in the ceremony of setting the ruler of the Russian State for reigning. In the first quarter of the 18th century, after Peter the Great's reforms, the ceremonial setting for reigning was replaced by coronation, the main attribute of which became the imperial crown. Since the 18th century the Cap of Monomakh served as the heraldic crown of the "Tsardom of Great, Little and White Russia".
The Kazan Crown Kazan crown is the second oldest in Russia. The gold crown is studded with pearls, garnets, and turquoises. The sable-fur trimming was for comfort. The Kazan Crown is dated 1553. It was first mentioned in the treasury of Tsar Ivan the Terrible, whose reign was marked by a series of important events in Russian history. Among them is the capture of Kazan in October 1552 and the annexation of the Kazan khanate to the Russian state. The precious crown might have been executed by Moscow Kremlin jewellers on the successful solution of "The Eastern problem", so important for Muscovy. Its name might have immortalized the memory of the glorious victory of Russian warriors. The crown's look combines national and Eastern artistic traditions. Some elements are reminiscent of the decor traditions of Russian churches of the epoch. At the same time, the combination of stones, e.g. red tourmalines and rubies with blue turquoise and the carved ornament of knitting herbs on a niello background represent oriental artistic influence. It may have belonged to Ediger Mahmet, the last ruler of the Tatar (Tartar) state of Kazan. Since the 18th century, this crown served as the heraldic crown of the "Tsardom of Kazan". The Ivory Throne
The Ivory throne is the earliest preserved tsar throne of the mid-16th century. The throne was made of wood faced with plates of ivory and walrus tusk, therefore it was called the "carved bone armchair". The carved ornament unites the various subjects and representations into a single composition. Decorative scenes include images from Greek mythology and the Old Testament. The depicted themes, the style of the carving and the motifs, which include grotesques and Cupids, enable researchers to date most of the pieces to the 16th century and attribute them to Western European Renaissance craftsmen. This bone throne has been renovated several times in Russia: worn pieces of bone were remade by local craftsmen; in 1856, on the occasion of the coronation of Emperor Alexander II, the throne was decorated with a gilded silver two-headed eagle.
Regalia of Boris Godunov Golden throne In addition to the bone chair the showcase includes a throne of oriental workmanship executed in the late 16th century. Having been presented by Shah Abbas I to Tsar Boris Godunov it was called a "Persian throne with stones". The form of the throne with its low back flowing into sloping arm-rests, reveals features typical of Iranian furniture of the 16th-17th centuries. The makers have used ornament beloved in the East, i.e. strips of gold decorated with a foliate pattern and coloured stones - blue turquoises and red rubies, tourmalines. The back of the seat, the arms and the whole lower section of the throne were covered with gold Persian fabric, replaced by French velvet in 1742 for the coronation of Empress Elizabeth. In total, this throne is adorned with 552 rubies and pink tourmalines, 825 turquoises, 177 pearls and 700 halves of pearls.
The Sceptre and orb are creations of West-European jewellers of the late Renaissance period, the enamels used on the relief technique not being known to Russian goldsmiths of that time. There are reasons to consider the sceptre and orb to belong to the set of gifts, brought to Tsar Boris Godunov in 1604, by the Great Embassy of Rudolf II, Emperor of the Great Roman Empire. The sceptre and orb miraculously survived through the Time of Troubles and must have been used in 1613 in the crowning of Michael Fyodorovich, first Tsar of the Romanov Dynasty. Later on during the whole reign of Michael Fyodorovich, they were unique regalia of the kind and belonged to the so-called "Grand set" (precious tsar's attire) complex of especially valuable regalia. Later "Grand set", which, except for the state regalia, included an armour set, that accompanied the Tsar in processions, e.g. military companies and hunting. The sceptre The golden sceptre is graceful and proportional, with rich and dainty ornamental motifs. The heads of cherubs, flowers and clusters of fruits suspended on ribbons – everything belongs to a unique, rhythmically sized composition. This ancient sceptre has 1 emerald, 20 diamonds and a few other precious stones. The orb Huge golden orb is crowned with a cross. In the upper hemisphere girdles separate it into four sections each with an Old Testament scene from King David's life: "Chrismation of King David by Prophet Samuel", "David's mastering Goliath", "Coming home with the victory", "Persecution from Saul". Shining gems, green emeralds, red rubies, and blue sapphires, encircle the enamel ornamentation. The Orb has 58 diamonds, 89 rubies and tourmalines, 23 sapphires, 51 emeralds and 37 pearls. Except for the 4 enamels, the entire orb, including the cross, is thoroughly encrusted with the various gems.
Regalia of Michael Fyodorovich
During the Time of Troubles in 1610-1612, the tsars' treasury was plundered by the Polish troops. They took almost all armour and weapons from the Great Treasury. Still, some items of the utmost value were kept in the occupied Kremlin under the protection of the boyars. When the Seven Boyars agreed to acknowledge Władysław, the king of Poland, as the king of Russia, he spared the historical monarchical insignia. Later the new king of Russia Michael Fyodorovich replenished the treasury with new artefacts. In 1627-1628 the "Grand Set" of regalia was created for him. Golden carving chain This chain was presented to Tsar Michael Fyodorovich in 1631 by the Dutch. It was made in Western Europe in the 1620s, later in Russia it was altered and became part of the "Grand set". It consists of 79 carving blackening rectangular links. Golden chain The golden chain belonged to Tsar Michael Fyodorovich. It was executed by Kremlin makers and first mentioned in papers of the State treasury in 1640. It consists of 89 rounds, slightly convoluted rings with an ornamental inscription on each ring. The inscription includes a prayer to the Holy Trinity, the complete title of the Tsar with a list of towns, princedoms and lands of the Russian State and the Tsar's hortation to live according to the precepts of God. The Crown of the "Grand set" belonged to Tsar Michael Fyodorovich. It was crafted by Kremlin master E. Telepnev in 1627. The Crown has 177 precious stones and pearls. Since the 18th century, this crown served as heraldic crown of the Astrakhan Khanate.
The Golden throne of Tsar Mikhail Fyodorovich was crafted at the beginning of the 17th century from the old chair of oriental workmanship which had belonged to Ivan the Terrible. In its form, high back and arms, it resembles Russian armchairs, but oriental motifs still remain in the ornament: The throne is faced with embossed gold and adorned with rubies, pearls, turquoise and other uncut stones. The throne was made in the early 17th century in Kremlin Workshops. Its decoration is similar to that of the throne of Boris Godunov. 13 kilos of gold, gemstones and pearls were used for its ornamentation. Partly throne's decoration hasn’t survived. A part of the golden plates in the base as well as the throne's pediment were missing. In total on this throne are surviving 1325 rubies and tourmalines, 559 turquoises, 16 pearls, 28 sapphires and 36 other precious stones.
Also "Grand set" consists of various precious armament and equipment, that survived in the Kremlin Armoury. Most important of these things are:
Saadak and quiver Saadak (precious bow-case) of "Grand set", in complect with quiver, was executed in Kremlin c. 1627: In total saadak and quiver are adorned 183 diamonds, 5 rubies, 34 sapphires, 153 emeralds and 139 tourmalins. Shield This precious steel (with carving gold designs) shield was made by master Muchammed Mumin Zernishan in Persia in the late 16th century: Until 1620 it belonged to prince Fyodor Mstislavsky (former Semiboyarzchina Head), after his death it was taken to Kremlin Armoury and became part of "Grand set". It is adorned with 1478 small gemstones and 32 pearls. Sabre Sabre of "Grand set" was made by Kremlin masters in the 1620s. It is a very rare artefact that has 552 diamonds and 165 other precious stones, mostly pink tourmalins. "State helmet" This helmet - "Jericho cap" - was made in Turkey in the 1600s, and altered in 1621 in Kremlin Armoury by masters N.Davydov and I.Markov, and later in 1642. Steel helmet with golden carving, it has Turkish inscription - quotations from Qur'an. It is adorned 116 diamonds, 10 emeralds, 225 tourmalines and 164 pearls. By the latest legend, this regalia belonged to Saint Alexander Nevsky. Since the 18th century, it served also as heraldic Helmet of Russian Empire.
After Tsar Mikhail Fyodorovich's death, the Kremlin Armoury was given his personal jewels and equipment, not applied to the "Grand set". The most important of them are: