The imperial “sea” throne was created by Russian carvers upon the order of Catherine the Great. She used it during her journey to the south of Russia. The carved throne was made in the Baroque style. The velvet back is inserted into a gilded frame with a scale pattern. The composition is capped with a gold imperial crown. In the center of the front stretcher (the support connecting the legs) is a lion’s head, and in the center of the back and lateral stretchers — stylized shells with tridents. This seat is known as a “sea” throne because of the sea-related symbols on the back. Near the Russian double-headed eagle, there is a silhouette of a ship, a rudder blade, and a stylized anchor. The bronze paint helped to preserve the wooden parts and the levkas (gesso), while also damaging the thin layer of gold.
This rare exhibit dates back to 1787 when Catherine the Great traveled to the south of the country, visiting her lands and taking interest in marine affairs. The Empress followed in the footsteps of Peter the Great and completed the plans that he had not been able to implement. In particular, she achieved access to the Black Sea, secured the Empire’s territories in this region, and annexed Crimea. There are no archive documents that would describe the history of this throne. It may be assumed that Nikolaev carvers were asked to quickly build a throne for the Empress ahead of her visit to the city where she planned to check out the operation of the shipyard and listen to the reports of admirals, constructors, and the mayor.
Over several centuries, many of the throne’s small details have worn out and faded and had to be reproduced in modern times. The restoration of the throne lasted four months. Following the original design, craftsmen reproduced the finest fragments of carving making it completely identical to the throne’s original appearance.
Until 1867, the throne was stored in the port of Nikolaev, after which it was donated to the Naval Museum, and for a long time during the Soviet period, it was displayed at the Summer Palace of Peter the Great in Leningrad. After returning to the Central Naval Museum, it was placed in the Hall of Glory of the Russian Navy. The throne is one of the relics of the Russian Navy and the gem of the Central Naval Museum’s collection, along with the botik of Peter the Great, his admiralty chair, and original flags and standards.
This rare exhibit dates back to 1787 when Catherine the Great traveled to the south of the country, visiting her lands and taking interest in marine affairs. The Empress followed in the footsteps of Peter the Great and completed the plans that he had not been able to implement. In particular, she achieved access to the Black Sea, secured the Empire’s territories in this region, and annexed Crimea. There are no archive documents that would describe the history of this throne. It may be assumed that Nikolaev carvers were asked to quickly build a throne for the Empress ahead of her visit to the city where she planned to check out the operation of the shipyard and listen to the reports of admirals, constructors, and the mayor.
Over several centuries, many of the throne’s small details have worn out and faded and had to be reproduced in modern times. The restoration of the throne lasted four months. Following the original design, craftsmen reproduced the finest fragments of carving making it completely identical to the throne’s original appearance.
Until 1867, the throne was stored in the port of Nikolaev, after which it was donated to the Naval Museum, and for a long time during the Soviet period, it was displayed at the Summer Palace of Peter the Great in Leningrad. After returning to the Central Naval Museum, it was placed in the Hall of Glory of the Russian Navy. The throne is one of the relics of the Russian Navy and the gem of the Central Naval Museum’s collection, along with the botik of Peter the Great, his admiralty chair, and original flags and standards.
