Scepter, Orb and Golden Throne of Boris Godunov

Boris Fyodorovich Godunov (1552 – 23 April [O.S. 13 April] 1605) ruled the Tsardom of Russia as de facto regent from c. 1585 to 1598 and then as the first non-Rurikid tsar from 1598 to 1605. After the end of his reign, Russia descended into the Time of Troubles.​

Orb.

Scepter and orb are creations of West-European jewelry of Late Renaissance. By the way, the enamels on relief technique was not known to Russian goldsmiths of that time. There are reasons to consider the scepter 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 scepter and orb, miraculously survived through the Time of Troubles, must have been used in 1613 in crowning of Michael Fyodorovich, first Tsar of the Romanov Dynasty. For later on during the whole reigning of Michael Fyodorovich they were unique regalia of the kind and belonged to the so-called "Grand set" (precious tsars 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 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: "Chrosmation 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.​

 

On display.

 

Golden throne.

This 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 552 rubies and pink tourmalines, 825 turquoises, 177 pearls and 700 halves of pearls.​

 

 

The Ancient State Regalia published by Moscow Armoury in 1979.

 

Based on the stylistic features of the scepter, it can be assumed that it was made no later than the beginning of the 17th century. There is information that in 1604, insignias were brought to Moscow from Prague by the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire Rudolf II by the embassy of Heinrich von Logau, which included a scepter and orb. Based on this information, it can be assumed that the golden scepter was in the royal treasury even before the Time of Troubles, and it was this scepter that was used in the coronation ceremony of Mikhail Fedorovich. The rite of the coronation of this tsar states that during the transfer of the regalia to the Assumption Cathedral, "the scepter was carried by the boyar Prince Dmitry Mikhailovich Pozharsky", and during the anointing ceremony, "the scepter was held by the boyar Prince Dmitry Timofeevich Trubetskoy".

The golden scepter 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.​

Gold, precious stones, enamel.
Length 70.5 cm.

 

Details.