The art of enamel in Russia is intricately tied to the ancient cultural traditions of the Byzantine Empire, which spread to the territory of Egypt, France, and Italy, becoming the foundation of the technical traditions of enamel art in these countries.
Already in the 4th century BC, the Tauric Peninsula was known for golden jewelry produced by artful Greek masters, using filigree and cloisonné techniques. The techniques of the Greeks were inherited and applied at the end of the 19th century by the master artisans of Fabergé, earning golden medals for their brand at the 1882 All-Russia Exhibition in Moscow and the Nuremberg Exposition of 1885.
The influx of foreign artisans and teachers from European countries to Russia was encouraged since the times of Peter the Great.
Diplomatic ties with France at the beginning of the 19th century – especially during the reign of Alexander III — stimulated cultural exchange between these two allied countries. Such ties were without doubt mutually beneficial and complemented each other.
Log in or register to see this content