The element of the tile decoration belt is one of the museum’s oldest exhibits dating back to the late 17th century. This tile was located on a wall of the gallery inside the church of Ilya the Prophet in Yaroslavl. This is a rare example of how the facade tiles were used to decorate the interior.

The Church of Ilya the Prophet was built of stone in 1647-1650s. Before that, there were two wooden temples on the place: the former, older temple of Ilya the Prophet and the Church of the Cover of the Mother of God. The new church was built with funds allocated by wealthy merchants, brothers Ioanniky and Vonifaty Skripin.

The Skripin brothers moved to Yaroslavl from Novgorod during the reign of Ivan the Terrible. They conducted trade operations not only in Russia, but also abroad. The Skripins would buy Siberian fur, pearls and gems and resell it in other cities, and in return they would buy goods, which were then transported to Siberia.

The Skripins hired an artel of builders to build the church. The facades of the temple of Ilya the Prophet were smooth, decorated with tile finishes painted with large flowers and herbs. The image of such flower is preserved on the museum exhibit that was a part of the interior tile decoration. At the moment, the external painting of the temple is completely lost, only the old whitewash of the building has been restored.

The merchants Skripins paid for the casting of seven bells for the completed church of Ilya the Prophet, bought necessary icons, attributes for services and utensils.

For the construction of the church of Ilya the Prophet, Patriarch Joseph rewarded the Skripins family with a part of the Vestment of the Lord, an outer garment that was kept in Moscow Cathedral of the Dormition. Such an award could be received only for special merits: a small element was separated from the shirt of Christ, the chiton, and sent as a sign of special favour. Later, in order to protect the sacred object, this practice was forbidden.