Antique Imperial Russian Photo Tsar Alexander III Romanov Coronation Moscow 1883

Bibelotslondon Ltd is a UK registered company based in London Bridge dealing in ephemera and curiosities from Britain and around the world. Our diverse inventory is carefully chosen and constantly evolving. We work very hard to offer the highest quality works at competitive prices. Our inventory is listed online, and we strive to keep our website completely up to date, so our customers can easily check availability. We believe in offering clients items that are unique and rare for aficionados of the antique and collector's world.

Bibelot is a late nineteenth century word derived from the French word bel'beautiful', meaning a small item of beauty, curiosity or interest. The word ephemera is derived from the sixteenth century Greek word ephmera meaning a printed or hand written paper not meant to be retained for a long period of time. Fine and monumental antique imperial Russian albumen photograph entitled in Russian,'Moscow during the Holy Coronation of His Imperial Highness'. Mounted onto stiff card it formed part of series of photographs detailing the Coronation of Tsar Alexander III of Russia in Moscow in 1883. This particular photo by the celebrated nineteenth century Russian photographer Ivan Mechkovsky is of the interior of the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Moscow and was consecrated on 26th May 1883 the day before the Coronation of Alexander III.

Mechkovsky produced 59 pages of the imperial jewels which now form part of the Coronation Albums held at Hillwood Library Estate, USA. The inner sanctum of the church. Was ringed by a two-floor gallery, its walls inlaid with rare sorts of marble, granite, and other stones. The ground floor of the gallery was a memorial dedicated to the Russian victory over Napoleon. The walls displayed more than 1,000 square metres (11,000 sq ft) of Carrara.

Bianca marble plaques listing major commanders, regiments, and battles of the 1812 Patriotic War. (with the lists of awards and casualties appended). The second floor of the gallery was occupied by church choirs. Following the Revolution the Cathedral was on Stalin's orders dynamited and reduced to rubble. It took more than a year to clear the debris from the site.

The construction of the Palace of Soviets which was to replace it, was ultimately halted due to a lack of funds, and problems with flooding from the nearby Moskva River. And the outbreak of World War II. Some of the marble from the walls and benches of the cathedral was used in nearby metro. Were preserved and are now on display at the Donskoy Monastery.

For many decades, these reliefs were the only reminders of one of the largest Orthodox churches ever built. The flooded foundation hole remained on the site, but in 1958. It was transformed into the world's largest open air swimming pool. In February 1990, the Russian Orthodox Church.

Received permission from the Soviet government to rebuild the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour. In 2000 the cathedral was the venue for the Canonisation of the Romanovs.

When the last Tsar Nicholas II and his family were glorified as Saints. Photos form part of the description. Size: 58.5 x 46.5 cm approx. This item is in the category "Collectables\Historical Memorabilia\Royalty Collectables". The seller is "bibelotslondon" and is located in this country: GB.

This item can be shipped worldwide.

Country/Region of Manufacture: Russian Federation
To Commemorate: Coronation
Theme: Royalty
Royal/ Reign: Non-UK Royalty
Type: Albumen Photos
Year: 1883
Features: Antique
Vintage: Yes
Manufacturer: Mechkovsky
Royal: Tsar Alexander III
Royalty: Non-UK Royalty