Wednesday, May 4, part two, Hermitage Storage Facility

After the regal equipage, paintings, icons and frescoes, we were taken to view a variety of furniture, mostly chairs.

A Radio City Music Hall Rockett’s line up of chairs.. Wondering if there’s a museum of fine furniture.

Chairs and more chairs.

There were wonderfully elaborate examples, great fun to look at,  but surely purgatory to sit on.

Cherub heads and velvet worn to the nap .

Peacocks

Golden scrolling.

La-Z-Tsar. Even royals can’t resist a good recliner

Looks shockingly modern in this context.

Lovely and bold needlepoint

After this we were led through a large room filled with brilliantly colored cloth tents. I imagined them being used for weddings or warfare. I had a dearth of facts, so I let my imagination run free.

Inside, looking out

I was surprised to see this. I have a coat very like this one. It came to me from Afghanistan by way of NYC back in 1975

.

There were several exhibits of court finery. Unfortunately, most of my photos were spoilt by glare.

Reigning.

Marrying

Mourning

Showing off

Lastly, these two garments.

Sleeve of a coat worn by Peter the Great. He had a very recognizable silhouette – great height, narrow shoulders. He liked ease of movement. That sleeve inside the sleeve helped hold in warmth. And those buttons!

My personal favorite, a coachman’s hat for those really special occasions.

Fancy!

After several hours, this visit was done. Uber found me on the steps, and hauled me back to the city for my last meal and final visit to the Hermitage proper. That will be my final post of this trip.