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Tsar treasures and Arab artefacts from Kremlin museum go on display

For the first time in its history, the Moscow Kremlin Museums is loaning some of its rarest and most precious artefacts to the UAE to be displayed today at Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi.

The exhibition, which is free and open from today till November 18, is entitled 'The Arsenal of the Russian Tsars: Treasures of the Moscow Kremlin Museums' and organised under the patronage of President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

It will contain 16th and 17th century items from the Russian Tsar Courts and work of Persian, Arab and Turkish artists.

According to Dr Elena Gagarina, Director of the Kremlin Museums, more than 100 objects were brought from the Kremlin Museums in central Moscow. Some items, she said, "have been specially selected because of their connection to the region", such as Quranic verses and Islamic artwork.
"Very often plates and gold items were created by the Persians or Turks and taken by the Russians," she said while explaining how the items have come to be with the Kremlin Museums.

"It is truly exciting to be bringing some of our prized collection to the UAE. The Kremlin Museums houses the world's foremost collection of Russian state regalia and many of the items highlight the long-standing relationship between Russia and the Orient."

The most interesting aspect of the museum, she said, is a section containing ceremonial weapons belonging to the Tsars.

Zayed gift

One of the most interesting items, according to Gagarina, is a royal ceremonial helmet, Jericho Cap, made in Istanbul during the late 16th century carrying inscriptions from the Quran.

Another unique item is a sabre and scabbard handmade in the UAE. The sword is a token of goodwill from the late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan and was presented to Leonid Brezhnev in March 1982 by Shaikh Mubarak Al Nahyan.

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