Museums of Russia: Smolensk unveils exhibition “Shop of rarities and antiquities”

An exhibition called “Shop of rarities and antiquities” has kicked off at Smolensk Museum-Reserve. It unveils the most interesting, valuable and rarely demonstrated works of art originating from an extensive collection housed by one of the largest multi-disciplinary museums of Russia. The collection was started in 1888. It features archaeological and ethnographic collections by famous Russian collectors and patrons, among them Princess Maria Tenisheva. As for today Smolensk treasure house numbers over half a million storage units.

The exhibition is not limited by time frames or a specific subject. The “Shop of rarities and antiquities” showcases unique items from museum’s storerooms. Old books, china, gold and silver casting, masterpieces of gunsmiths – all in all, over 400 items.