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SAVVATII TVERSKII (SAVVATII OF TVER)

Creator(s): Unknown

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. 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 God the Father (or the Spas nerukotvornyi?). 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:
1601 (?)-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:
embroidered inscription 12 POPRIShch" VLETA OT ROZHESTVA KhR~TVA 1794 GODU FR: In oxidized silver-wrapped thread on blue band below feet. In Church Slavonic, viaz script. Transliterated to modern orthography: "12 po prishche v leta ot Rozhestva Khristova 1794 godu." Translation: 12 [Fields?] in the year that is 1794 years from/after the time of the birth of Christ." (Need a more graceful rendition in English) embroidered inscription PRBNYI SAVATII FR: In oxidized silver-wrapped thread on blue band, upper left. In Church Slavonic, viaz script. The word 'prepodobnyi' has been abbreviated to 'prbnyi'. Translation: Our Holy Father Savatii embroidered inscription TFRSKII VORSHEN ChIuDO FR: In oxidized silver-wrapped thread on blue band, upper right. In Church Slavonic, viaz script. A complete transcription should read: Tf[e]rskii Vorshen[skii] Chiudo[tvorets]. Translation: Tverskii and Vorshenskii Miracle[worker]. Note: The final word should read 'chiudotvorets.' It appears that the final part of the inscription was cut off at some point and was not saved. embroidered inscription SVTYI BZh STYI KRPKI STYI BSMERTNYI POMLUI NAS In gold letters on schema worn by saint. This is a Church Slavonic rendering of "Sviatyi Bozhe, Sviatyi krepki, sviatyi bezsmertnyi, pomilui nas [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. embroidered inscription SERA FIM In gold letters on schema worn by saint, left shoulder. It is a standard inscription on the schema (or kukol') of an ascetic monk. old accession mark 282733.180 Written in black ink on reverse, lower left. Old Rosso/Smithsonian accession mark. embroidered inscription SERA FIM In gold letters on schema worn by saint, rigth shoulder. It is a standard inscription on the schema (or kukol') of an ascetic monk. embroidered inscription SEI STYI POKROV" V CHEST" I V SLAVU EDINOMU REV: In oxidized silver-wrapped thread on blue band at base. In Church Slavonic, viaz script. Transliterated to modern orthography: "Sei sviatyi pokrov v chest i v slavu edinomu..." [inscription continues up the left side of the pall.) Translation: This blessed/holy pall [is given] in honor of and to the glory of" embroidered inscription PREMUDROMU BGY I PREBNOMU OTTsU SAVATIIu IGUMINU VORShESKOMU I TFERSKOMU ChIuDOTVOTsU OT GRADA TFERI REV: In oxidized silver-wrapped thread on blue band, left side. In Church Slavonic, viaz script. Transliterated to modern orthography: "PREMUDROMU BOGU I PREPODOBNOMU OTTsU SAVATIIu IGUMINU VORShESKOMU I TFERSKOMU ChIuDOTVORTsU OT GRADA TFERI." 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