Gifts to the Pokrovsky Monastery in Suzdal (In the Footsteps of a Ring of Maria Temryukovna)

Abstract

Introduction. It is not always possible to trace the fate of certain museum exhibits from documents. Methods and materials. This work examines the history of movement in various collections of a gold ring with the seal of the second wife of Tsar Ivan IV, Maria Temryukovna. Analysis. After the tsarina’s death, it was deposited in the Pokrovsky Suzdal monastery for the memorial of her soul. For two centuries this monastery served as a place where former tsarist wives and representatives of the highest Moscow aristocracy were tonsured. Over time, it concentrated a significant collection of women’s jewelry, which came here in the form of gifts. Therefore, when in Russia in the 19th century museums devoted to national history and culture began to actively develop, interest in this collection appeared. In 1845, the ring, along with other items, was purchased with the personal money of Emperor Nicholas I for the Armory. However, it soon found itself in the State Ancient Storage, where the most important ancient documents on the history of Russia were concentrated, as well as a collection of state and personal seals. Subsequently, the ring, as part of the collection of the Ancient Storage, ended up in the Rumyantsev Museum. Ultimately, it ended up in the State Historical Museum. It is now in the State Historical Museum. However, their whereabouts are currently unknown. Results. The work analyzes all discovered references to these items. In the future, perhaps, this will help to identify them among the anonymous monuments from museum collections. Key words: Maria Temryukovna, Ivan IV, royal gifts, Pokrovsky Suzdal Monastery, State Ancient Storage.