Have you ever been to a workshop for the restoration of artistic fabrics?
If not, then don't be discouraged! Right now, we invite you to the workshop, where the restoration of one unique masterpiece from the collection of ancient Russian art begins. This work is handled by Elizaveta Maksimova, a restorer of fabrics at the Russian Museum. We will try to regularly inform you about how the work is going.
"Felon" is the name of this museum item. This is the traditional holy vestment, an obligatory accessory to church services.
As a rule, the main decoration of the Old Russian "felon" was its mantle, on which face images of ornamental compositions were placed.
Unfortunately, no information about the origin and source of this item (No. DRT251) has been preserved. We only know that it entered the Russian Museum until 1938. This is evidenced by the checkmark in the old inventory.
It can be seen that the "felon" was altered before entering the museum. Its base, or "trunk", is made of blue Russian brocade of the 19th century. The ornamental mantle is sewn on purple velvet with gold and silver threads "attached". A large report of the ornament is composed of motifs traditional for the art of the late 17th century: at the top in the center is a crown, under it are jagged leaves of various shapes, diverging to the sides, and lyreshaped, symmetrical flowers with small crowns above them. The contours of the ornament are trimmed with a gold cord.