SAVVATII TVERSKII (SAVVATII OF TVER)

Creator(s): Unknown (Maker)

Currently in storage

About this object

This embroidery was originally on blue silk but has now been mounted on a piece of brocade with all the embroidery (including the inscriptions) preserved including some of the blue silk for the latter. (Note that an extensive inscription dating from 1794 on one side was turned over and sewn under.) The figure is of the monk Saint Savatii Tverskii (Sabbatius Tversky). The face and hands are embroidered in silk. The kukol', the robe and the halo are all in metallic-wrapped silk threads. Above the monk-saint's head is a small medallion with Jesus Christ. Identificatory inscriptions on preserved blue silk base are placed on either side of the figure's head and below his feet.

Object name:

SAVVATII TVERSKII (SAVVATII OF TVER)

Made from:

Silk -- linen -- silk chenille -- gold- and silver-wrapped silk thread -- silver-gilt strips and spangles.

Made in:

Tver, Russia

Date made:

before 1794

Size:

180.3 × 100.3 cm (71 × 39 1/2 in.)

Detailed information for this item

Catalog number:

43.53

Class:

NEEDLEWORK

Signature marks:

NUMBERS 282733.180 [Written in black ink on reverse, lower left -- old Rosso accession mark.] INSCRIPTIONS 12 po prishche v leta ot Rozhestva Khristova 1794 godu. [Transliterated to modern orthography from Church Slavonic, viaz script -- In oxidized silver-wrapped thread on blue band below feet.] [Translation: 12 [Fields?] in the year 1794 years after the birth of Christ.]; prbny savatii [In Church Slavonic, viaz script -- In oxidized silver-wrapped thread on blue band, upper left. The word 'prepodobnyi' has been abbreviated to 'prbnyi'.] [Translation: Our Holy Father Savatii]; Tf[e]rskii Vorshen[skii] Chiudo[tvorets] [In Church Slavonic, viaz script. In oxidized silver-wrapped thread on blue band, upper right] [Translation: Tverskii and Vorshenskii Miracle[worker].]; Sviatyi Bozhe, Sviatyi krepki, sviatyi bezsmertnyi, pomilui nas [Church Slavonic -- In gold letters on schema worn by saint.] [Translation: Holy God, Holy Strong One, Holy Immortal One, Have Mercy Upon Us]. [This is from the Trisagion hymn, which is often sung as a funeral service. It is a standard inscription on the schema (or kukol') of an ascetic monk. In this case, the words encircle the face and beard.]; Serafim [in gold letters on schema worn by saint, left shoulder. It is a standard inscription on the schema (or kukol') of an ascetic monk.]; Sei sviatyi pokrov v chest i v slavu edinomu... [in oxidized silver-wrapped thread on blue band at base -- transliterated from Church Slavonic, viaz script -- Translation: This blessed/holy pall [is given] in honor of and to the glory of...]; premudromu bogu i prepodobnomu ottsu savatiiu iguminu vorsheskomu i tferskomu chiudotvortsu ot grada tferi [in oxidized silver-wrapped thread on blue band, left side -- Transliterated from Church Slavonic, viaz script -- Translation: ...and wise God and to our Holy Father the Abbot Savatii the Vorsh and Tver miracleworker from the city of Tver.]

Credit line:

Gift of Madame Augusto Rosso, 1968