Pages: 237-254 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.55086/sp216237254
The article presents the results of the trace-wear analysis and elemental composition of the arks of the pendant seals of 1700—1801 from the charters of Russian Emperors Peter the Greate, Catherine I, Peter II, Anna Ioannovna, Elizabeth Petrovna, Catherine the Greate and Paul I. The objects were studied in terms of their iconography, technological features, and metal composition. Comparison with historical documents shows that in the manufacture of all the arks the masters followed the iconography, regulated by decrees, and in general the artifacts reflect heraldic innovations of different periods. The peculiarities of the technological methods of the master jewelers of different periods, used in the production of these status items, have been identified. The evolution of the technology of making Russian seal arks has been revealed. The earliest ark (1700) was identified as belonging to the European technological tradition. The other arks belong to a different technological tradition, inclined to a more decorative depiction and the use of small complex embossings. Two of the arks show signs of later surface plating with electroplated gilding.
Keywords: sigillography, arks, pendant seals, iconography, trace-wear analysis, SEM, EDX, XRF
Information about authors:
Maria Proskuryakova (Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation). Candidate of Historical Sciences. Saint Petersburg Institute of History, Russian Academy of Sciences. Petrozavodskaya St., 7, Saint Petersburg, 197110, Russian Federation
E-mail: [email protected]
Ekaterina Nosova (Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation). Candidate of Historical Sciences. Saint Petersburg Institute of History, Russian Academy of Sciences. Petrozavodskaya St., 7, Saint Petersburg, 197110, Russian Federation
E-mail: [email protected]
Dmitrii Veber (Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation). Candidate of Historical Sciences. Saint Petersburg State University. Universitetskaya Emb., 7/9, Saint Petersburg, 199034, Russian Federation
E-mail: [email protected]
Anastasia Loboda (Moscow, Russian Federation). National Research Center “Kurchatov Institute”. Academician Kurchatov Sq., 1, Moscow, 123098, Russian Federation
E-mail: [email protected]
Igor Trunkin (Moscow, Russian Federation). Candidate in Physics and Mathematics. National Research Center “Kurchatov Institute”. Academician Kurchatov Sq., 1, Moscow, 123098, Russian Federation
E-mail: [email protected]
Elena Tereschenko (Moscow, Russian Federation). Candidate in Physics and Mathematics. National Research Center “Kurchatov Institute”. Academician Kurchatov Sq., 1, Moscow, 123098, Russian Federation; Institute of Crystallography named after A. V. Shubnikov, Federal Research Center “Crystallography and Photonics”, Russian Academy of Sciences. Lenin Ave., 59, Moscow, 119333, Russian Federation
E-mail: [email protected]
Ekaterina Yatsishina (Moscow, Russian Federation). Candidate in Philosophy. National Research Center “Kurchatov Institute”. Academician Kurchatov Sq., 1, Moscow, 123098, Russian Federation
E-mail: [email protected]