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The State Armoury is the
oldest and richest museum in the Kremlin.
It was originally founded in 1806 as the
Imperial
Court
Museum,
which was created out of three royal treasuries: the Court Treasury,
the Stable Treasury, and the Armory.
The Imperial Court Museum was moved to the present building in 1851.
The art treasures collected in the
Armoury are of world significance. Each article is distinguished by
great beauty and perfection of form and demonstrates the exceptional
skill of the craftsmen who made it. The Armoury now contains some 4,000 exhibits
dating from the 12th century to 1917. The
State Armoury museum displays the Tsar’s regalia such as jewelry
crowns, orbs and scepters, clothing of the Russian tsars and tsarinas,
royal carriages, collection of arms and armour, gifts to the Russian
Tsars from various countries of the West and the East, a collection
of Faberge Easter eggs, exquisite works by 12-19 century gold-and
silversmiths and many more precious items.
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From
the Armoury collection: the orb,
crown and scepter of Tsar Mikhail Romanov, above; embroidery
in pearls and precious stones
(17th century), bellow
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