Unseen Treasures: Imperial Russia and the New World Features Precious Historic Items and Artifacts

Thee Officers’ Club Exhibition Hall on the Presidio is the site of a unique collection of Russian art objects and artifacts in the Unseen Treasures: Imperial Russia and the New World exhibit opening March 18 through June 15.

The exhibit commemorates the 200th anniversary of the Russian-American Company that funded Russian expansion into Alaska and parts of North America. The collection is making its final stop in its U.S. journey at the Presidio. It will return to be displayed at Russia’s State Historical Museum in Moscow.

"The collection features many examples of artifacts that show the Russian style popularized between 1800 and 1875," explains Randolph Delehanty, Trust historian. For example, a Cockerel Wine Set of silver and enamel inlay demonstrates the bright colors and ornate styling common in pieces from the period. The design of the carafe takes the form of the cockerel, with charkas in the form of chickens. This highly imaginative creation expresses the image of the bird, with brilliant enamel décor imitating Russian folk art, all done in silver in the Russian style.

Another highlight of the collection is a mitre, worn by a bishop in the early nineteenth century. This beautiful and ornate item includes details created in the seventeenth, eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. It is made from velvet and silk, with gold, silver, clustered pearls, diamonds, sapphires, rubies, and emeralds inset. "This item is one of the most spectacular in the collection, not only because of its history," states Delehanty.

Perhaps the most spectacular precious artifact in the collection is a silver sculpture depicting Peter the Great on his botik (ship). The sculpture, measuring 69 by 85 by 45 centimeters, is a monumental example of Russian decorative art of the early 20th century. Cast by Mark Matveevich Antokolsky, a master of the Russian school of sculpture in the late nineteenth century, and commissioned by Grand Duke Vladimir, it shows Peter the Great standing atop the deck of his boat, carried by an ornately styled wave that forms the piece’s base.

Other unique precious objects in the Unseen Treasures collection include Catherine the Great sleigh, wedding crowns, a Siberian silver snuff box showing a map of the Aleutian Islands, and a tea service of silver, enamel, and mother of pearl.

The Unseen Treasures exhibit runs from the Opening Night Reception from 6pm to 9pm on Saturday night, March 17, through June 15 at the Presidio Officers’ Club Exhibit Hall on the Main Post. For ticket information visit www.athtepresidio.org or call 800-965-4827