This coronation cup is connected with one of the most devastating disasters in the Russian Empire — the stampede on Khodynka Field in Moscow.
The preparations started on January 1 (13), 1896 with the Manifesto “On the Upcoming Sacred Coronation of Their Imperial Majesties”. The Partnership for production of porcelain and faience items of M.S. Kuznetsov was commissioned to produce two types of commemorative cups. Enamel cups were for the people, and faience ones — for the police who were to ensure public safety and order during the celebrations and festivities. Faience cups were part of a set that also included two plates — a soup and a dinner one. The faience cup from the museum collection features a relief image of St. George (Moscow’s coat of arms) in the shield, the imperial crown, some wreaths of oak and laurel leaves and the inscription “In memory of St. Coronation”.
The public celebrations, marking the coronation of Nicholas II, were appointed on May 18. Guests began to gather on Khodynka Field in the evening on May 17. By dawn, at least 500,000 people had come to the venue. There were 1,800 police officers stationed there to maintain order. The catastrophe happened when rumors started circulating that the presents were running out because the barmen were giving them out to “their own.” The crowd started moving to the booths with the gifts. In their fear to be run over, the barmen started throwing the sets with sweets and cups into the crowd.
Vladimir Gilyarovsky provides the following description:
The preparations started on January 1 (13), 1896 with the Manifesto “On the Upcoming Sacred Coronation of Their Imperial Majesties”. The Partnership for production of porcelain and faience items of M.S. Kuznetsov was commissioned to produce two types of commemorative cups. Enamel cups were for the people, and faience ones — for the police who were to ensure public safety and order during the celebrations and festivities. Faience cups were part of a set that also included two plates — a soup and a dinner one. The faience cup from the museum collection features a relief image of St. George (Moscow’s coat of arms) in the shield, the imperial crown, some wreaths of oak and laurel leaves and the inscription “In memory of St. Coronation”.
The public celebrations, marking the coronation of Nicholas II, were appointed on May 18. Guests began to gather on Khodynka Field in the evening on May 17. By dawn, at least 500,000 people had come to the venue. There were 1,800 police officers stationed there to maintain order. The catastrophe happened when rumors started circulating that the presents were running out because the barmen were giving them out to “their own.” The crowd started moving to the booths with the gifts. In their fear to be run over, the barmen started throwing the sets with sweets and cups into the crowd.
Vladimir Gilyarovsky provides the following description:
