Collection for the Cross of Ephrosinja Polotskaua. Enamels
“Staurotheke of the Cross of Euphrosyne of Polotsk” is an outstanding example of Old Russian jewelry and enamel art, recreating the stylistics of the Byzantine tradition. On the golden plates, decorated with cloisonné enamel, are depicted archangels, symbolic representations of the Throne of the Lord, as well as the figures of Saints Constantine and Helena.
The bright, saturated colors — emerald, sapphire, and purple — emphasize the sacred character of the images and enhance their decorative resonance. The enamels are devoid of illusionism: the figures are rendered flatly, with an emphasis on conventionality and symbolism, reflecting the theological orientation of the art.
This ensemble served as a reliquary, intended for the keeping and veneration of relics associated with the Cross of Euphrosyne of Polotsk, and stands as a rare testimony to the synthesis of the spiritual and the artistic in East Slavic culture.
Nikolay Kuzmich
Born on November 28th, 1950 in the village of Patriki of Brest Region (Belarus). Graduated from the Minsk Art School named after A.K. Glebov (1982). Works in the field of the jewelry art in the technique of hot enamels. Since 1983 he is a participant of art exhibitions. In 1993-2001 he worked at the reconstruction of the Cross of Efrosiniya Polotskaya in her own image, as well as Stavroteci to the Cross. He has revived the technique of the ancient Asian partition enamel of the 12th century. Together with A. Vasili'ev and T. Makarova he has published a monograph about Efrosiniya's Cross. The works are in museums of Belarus, Russia, Germany, Lithuania, Spain, USA and in private collections. A winner of «For spiritual