December 21, 2011

The Tsar’s Cabinet is only at the Gardiner Museum for another few weeks, so take this opportunity to explore this amazing collection of imperial Russian porcelain and decorative arts! Grouped according to the tsars in power when they were made, the artwork has been interpreted to help museum-goers understand Russia’s history during the Romanov period. “For example, objects from the reign of Peter the Great are used to illuminate Russia’s early engagement with the West, while objects from Catherine the Great’s reign are used to illustrate Russia’s involvement in the Enlightenment.”

Most of the items in this collection were designed for and used by members of the Russian imperial family, including the tsars themselves. Many of the pieces are extremely rare – items of this calibre are not often available for viewing outside of Russia. As the only scheduled Canadian venue for this exhibition, this is your opportunity to explore amazing examples of works from the Imperial Glassworks, the Imperial Porcelain Factory, and the private firms of Fabergé and Ovichinnikov.

The Gardiner Museum is open today from 10am until 6pm. Tickets are $12 for adults, $8 for seniors, and $6 for students. For more information on this exhibit, go to www.gardinermuseum.on.ca.