The Hermitage part three: Objects

We went to the treasure room.  Also known as the gold and diamond room.  No pictures were allowed inside.  It came with two guides one speaking Russian and one interpreter.  Amazing items ranged from prehistoric gold rings to Greek and Roman gold jewelry.  Religious art, ceremonial swords and even Fabrige clocks, watches and travel kits.  There is one sword that was lavender and color it had 1800 diamonds with over 1000 karrots. There was a 190 carat emerald with gold and precious stones around it in the shape of a Spanish galleon. The guide was funny as she attempted to keep us all together.  She would physically move people to gates them positioned correctly.  We exited this room and got out into the collection proper.

This clock was made in 18 67. It's has full-sized peacock rooster and other birds. It's fully articulated

On the hour of the rooster would Crow the peacock's feathers would spread out and each time would pop up in different locations

The peacock is full-sized the clock still works but they only have it run once a week so it's not to wear out the mechanisms

This mushroom pops up at 9

Snake wrestling 

Secpters

It's actually a mosaic 

The parquet floor

Intricate wood carving

The hand of a saint reaching out to offer salvation 

Eaten by a dragon, not the best way to start your day

Bronze Dog

A replica of a Roman  mosaic 

Closest I could get to a photo of the Gold Room

Also a mosaic using travertine

Legs to a giant vase

A table made of pieces of Precious Minerals

A fine chair indeed

Please no sitting

A clock and its cabinet

A courtier sculpted as a griffin

Too fancy a piano to play

Another. Person represented as a griffin

Gold and Ebony together

For when the czar's eyes weakened he could read this clock

After the Hermitage was open to the public the main galleries got very very busy. So we went up to the Oriental Galleries and had them for ourselves

This reminds me of Laos

Not a pretty face

Scary skulls lining the top

10 arms to grab life with

Dragon or dog?

A great likeness

These were molds used to make Fine Chinese porcelain figures

Imagine carving backwards and inverted

Open up for an Easter egg surprise

Contemplative monkey

Almost as happy as we are

So many faces

Heading out past the three sisters

Bye-bye Hermitage