"Treasures of Moscow Kremlin" exhibition opened in Smolensk

The "Treasures of the Moscow Kremlin" exhibition opened on Friday in the state reserve museum in Smolensk, Central Russia.

Here local residents can see 118 masterpieces of Russian, West European and Oriental art of 16-20th centuries, said the Moscow Kremlin museum's director Elena Gagarina, daughter of the world's first astronaut. Among the exhibits is silverware by West European masters sent to the Russian tzars as diplomatic presents. The works of Russian jewellers include a silver dish by Moscow master Pyotr Afenogenov, items of the tea and coffee sets that belonged to Catherine II, her son Paul I and Grand Princess Maria Pavlovna. Visitors can also see works by modern jewellers, many of whom follow traditions of Faberget.

Also, the exhibition shows arms made by Moscow and foreign masters, such as helmets of Khan Abel-Khasim, Turkish bracers and a 17th-century sheathed broadsword, as well as articles of horse decoration trimmed with gemstones.

The Graphics section demonstrates unique watercolours by Fedor Solntsev. Some of them, depicting 19th-century Smolensk, are of the greatest interest for local residents.

The next city to host the Treasures of the Kremlin exhibition will be Krasnoyarsk, Siberia.