11.06.2013 — 25.09.2013

Since the most ancient times the weapon played the major role in human life. It was not only a security measure from enemies and food getting, but also a symbol of the power, gentrice, wealth, a source of pride of the owner. Numerous State-to-State disputes were solved with a help of arms, it helped to take a stand for independence of the homeland.

The weapon is an integral part of spear running, military parades, court hunting, coronation processions and other ceremonial celebrations. Diverse use of the weapon in days of war and in peace life made it a peculiar sociocultural phenomenon.  This exhibition is devoted to the weapon as the cultural phenomenon included in a certain social context. Unique monuments of the XV-XXth centuries from collection of the Historical museum are presented at an exhibition. The exposition consists of three sections which give an overview of the weapon connected with a symbol, the person and ceremonial, silver, gold, jewels are used in decorating of this weapon.

The first section is devoted to displaying various sacrally significant symbolical systems, and also allegorical and emblematic compositions in decorating of the weapon. The exhibits originating various regions of the world are presented here: cuirass of the Saxon master of the XVIth century with the Crucifixion image, an officer saber of the end of the XIXth century, with a blade made by masters of the Ottoman Empire at the end of the XVIIth century with inscription in Greek: “You, Tsar, Preeternal God’s Word, “the Almighty” and image of the Blessed Virgin “The Unfading Flower”.

The memorial and award weapon is presented in the second section of an exhibition. These are award weapon and the personal property belonging to famous historical persons: to  heritor crown prince of Russian Empire Alexey (only son of the last Russian Imperor Nikolay II), Russian general M. Tchernyaev, English sailor rear admiral John Ross, etc. Granted Cossack sabers of the Company sergeant major of Don Army Feodor Ivanov (1733) and the Cossack colonel Mikhail Sebryakov, who was the participant of The Seven Years’ War (1758-1765) and Russian-Turkish war (1768-1774), suppressions of revolt of E. Pugachev (1774) are exhibited here.
The award weapon of the Russian Empire is presented by the edged weapon with an award badge of the Order of St. Anne “For Bravery”, the Gold weapon “For Bravery” and the combined edged weapon with an award badgeы of the Order of St. Anne and Order of St. George’s. Collective awards of the Russian army: silver trumpets of St. George and all classes of order of St. Anna are shown here.
Visitors will be able to see an individual weapon of participants of parade of the Victory of 1945, Heroes of the Soviet Union of marshals I. Konev and G. Zhukov here.

The third section was made by the thematic complexes connected with features of use of the weapon in a context of social representation:  crowning, war, hunting, tournament, duel.  Visitors will be able to see a knightly tournament and fighting armor, details of trappings, the parade hunting weapon of XVIth and XIXth centuries.  Among exhibits there are the children’s gun made for the heritor electorate of Saksoniya Johann George (1620), a tournament and parade armor of the end of XVth – the middle of the XVIth centuries, the subjects used in coronation celebrations – details of departure of emperor Alexander II.

Visitors will be able to gather detailed information on subjects, their owners, manufacturers, masters from additional multimedia means – touch screens and plasma screens.

Applications for excursions can be made by phone: 8 (34-12) 51-34-52