European silver

European silver

in the collection of the Chernihiv Historical Museum named after VV. Tarnovsky

In the collection of the Chernihiv Historical Museum named after VV. Tarnowski there are many examples of goldsmithing by European masters.

By order of Chernihiv resident Peter Rode II (master 1654–1702?) a silver frame for the Gospel was made (inv. № Al-179), as evidenced by the brand name on the boards of the frame. The attachment in the book notifies, that the frame was made in Gdansk in 1688 year at the expense of Chernihiv citizen Vlasiy N.. The Gospel was addressed to the Chernihiv Church of St.. Nicholas, built in the early 1680s.

The master completely covered the book with silver, successfully combining it with gilding. The free field between the middle and the corners is filled with delicate twisted shoots of acanthus with flowers. The root is decorated with similar patterns, on the fasteners cast figures of St.. Peter and St.. Paul.

Gospel setting 1681 year (inv. № Al-181) was performed 1685 year at the request of Chernihiv Colonel Vasyl Dunin-Borkovsky well-known Wroclaw goldsmith Gottfried Heintze (master 1673–1707). Brands are embossed on the clasp of the book: urban, certifying the quality of silver and its sample - in a heart-shaped shield Latin letter "W" (from Wroclaw), and Latin letters "GH" (Gottfried Heіntze). Date of manufacture "1685", as an element of decoration of the frame, carved on the bottom board.

The gospel is covered with a massive all-metal frame. The oval-middle with the embossed composition "Transfiguration" is fixed on the front board. Above the middle rises a high-relief cast waist-length figure of God the Father in golden robes, shrouded in silver clouds, his hands are barely parted, the gaze is directed to the Son.

The middle and corners are bordered by high-raised gilded oak wreaths. The free field between the medallions is filled with overhead openwork silver garlands of lush acanthus curls., lush peonies and small gilded flowers. The successful combination of sacred scenes with juicy ornaments best matched the aesthetic preferences of the Baroque era..

The composition "Epiphany" is plastically reproduced on the lower board in the center ("Baptism"). Above on a golden background is reproduced in the flight of a dove, which symbolizes the Holy Spirit, below it is a ribbon with the inscription: “СЄ ЄСТЬ СНЬ МО I AM FAVORITE IN HIM AND WAS ALSO AFTER SITE”. The author arbitrarily introduced an interesting detail to the "Baptism" scene: in the waves of the Jordan two swans swim towards each other. The birds are also reproduced on the shield of V. Borkovsky's coat of arms, placed at the bottom of the frame, although the image of one swan in the shield is heraldically correct, and another on a helmet, crowning the shield. Above the coat of arms is a ribbon with Latin letters "IDBPXG", which we allow ourselves to decipher as: "Jerzy Dunin-Borkowski Colonel X Chernihiv". (In. Dunin-Borkovsky was the tenth Chernihiv colonel). Under the coat of arms - a ribbon with the date "1685".

The book has an attachment: “This is the book of the Gospel holy by the lofty cat and its overlay, his native Ml Pan Vasily Dunin-Borkovsky colonel of the army of their tsar Blessed Majesty of Zaporozhye Chernegovsky, in such a way, and having set off for the remission of his sins, he handed it to the Transfiguration Church of the Cathedral of the Muravanized Church in the very place of Chernegov ... ".

Do 1701 General Secretary of the Zaporizhzhya Army Karpo Mokrievych and his wife Anna Kokhanovska contributed to the Boris-Gleb Cathedral - the Gospel in a silver setting (inv. № Al-185), made in the German city of Augsburg. On a red background picturesque finifte medallions with the image of the Almighty are solemnly and festively perceived., holidays of the saints (among them Boris and Gleb), evangelists in the curls of acanthus. The letter "M", well-arranged among the acanthus shoots, remains almost invisible. (Mokrievich), and under it a rather massive gilded coat of arms of this kind. In the same year, Hetman Ivan Mazepa ordered a silver royal gate for the same cathedral in Augsburg from the famous jeweler Jacob Drenvetti..

Vasyl Dunin-Borkowski, General of the Zaporizhia Troops, ordered Christian Schubert II, a master from Gdańsk (master 1689–1737) потир (Інв. No. I-2555). The product has a clear and logically complete composition. The engraved coat of arms of Dunin-Borkovsky is simplified on one side of the gilded chalice bowl: swan in an oval under the crown, above the second swan, around the coat of arms the initials "IDZB", on the other hand - an Orthodox octagonal cross with a spear, sponge and the inscription "INCI", «ІΣ», «ХΣ». A silver fishnet shirt with three cast plaques is worn on the bowl, on which the scenes of the Last Supper are depicted in relief, Footwashing and Prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane. Acanthus-framed fruit bunches are embossed between the plaques. In the stand - a pear-shaped cast apple with a relief of two soaring angels among the plant variety. On a flat round tray between the bunches of fruit - six plaques with passion scenes.

At the bottom of the pallet is an inscription: «This Chalice continues to praise God, to the Orthodox Church of the Annunciation of the Virgin Ierzy Dunin Borkowski camp ieneral ».

On the mug (inv. № И-3485), works of Gdańsk goldsmith Siegfried Erstner (master 1684–1720), depicts scenes of the earthly life of the prophet Elijah: ravens bring bread and meat during a three-year drought, the angel invites the prophet to eat before the long journey to Mount Horeb.

Стакан (inv. No. I-3465), made by Gdansk jeweler Arnold Lange (master 1699–1724) has a rather complex pattern: at the top are concave shells and four-petalled rosettes in diamonds, and the lower part is decorated with vertical spoons and octagonal figures.

(According to research by Anna Arendar: Silver Gospel Frames XVII–XVIII Ages // Родовід. - h. 14. – 1996. - WITH. 83–90; Gdansk silver in the collection of the Chernihiv Historical Museum. VV. Tarnovsky // Treasury of Ukrainian culture. – Вип. 2. – 2002 - WITH. 72–75; Wroclaw silver from the funds of the Chernihiv Historical Museum. VV. Tarnovsky // Treasury of Ukrainian culture. – Вип. 5. - WITH. 7–11)