Tsarskoselskaya Restoration Workshop
Thursday, November 19, 2020
Wednesday, November 18, 2020
Bedroom fabric, then and now, original and recreation...
Source:
GMZ Tsarskoe Selo
"The decoration of this room is highlighted by the rich use of the same fabric: the walls and furniture are upholstered in an English chintz pattern in the form of wreaths of small pink flowers and ribbons, specially made by the English manufacturer Hindley. The same material was used to make the curtains for the windows and doors, as well as the alcove.
Charles Hindley & Sons had existed since the early 19th century. In 1909 the company filed for bankruptcy and was resold twice. The latest information about the Hindley manufactory dates back to 1921, when the company ceased to exist. Unfortunately, the museum’s hopes of finding a 'historical' manufacturer for the fabric in Great Britain did not materialize.
Since the end of the 19th century, the term 'chintz' has been used to describe a cotton decorative fabric in plain weave – usually with a large floral pattern and a glossy front side. This fabric was mainly suitable for interior decoration.
Chintz, along with unwaxed chintz, was used in the decoration of the Alexander Palace, notably for the interiors of the Imperial Bedchamber and Children's Rooms, the latter of which were located on the second floor of the east wing of the palace.
A sample of the original chintz, which was discovered in the funds of the Pavlovsk State Museum Reserve, served as a direct analogue for reproducing the pattern and texture of the fabric. It was important to achieve an exact match between the colour scheme and the degree of waxing.
The recreation of the textile decoration for the Imperial Bedchamber (draperies for the alcove, doors and windows) were based on this surviving sample. Thus, it became possible to reproduce the historic ambiance of the elements of the windows, doors and alcove thanks to the original drapery samples of the Imperial Bedchamber. In addition, when working on the drapery project, the craftsmen relied on numerous colour autochromes taken in 1917, as well as pre-war black and white photographs.
To recreate the lining fabric and lace for decorating the walls and ceiling inside the alcove, as well as the trimmings, historical samples of the same time were used. When recreating the color scheme of trimmings and carpets, the main reference point was the color palette of the chintz. Fragments of historical carpets in the halls of the Alexander Palace served as an example of the degree of pile height and density of the structure of the carpet base.
The fabrics, trimmings and carpets were made by the specialists of Renaissance Workshops for the Restoration of Antiquities (St. Petersburg). The production and hanging of curtains, marquises and draperies for the alcove – by the master of the company 'Le Lux' (St. Petersburg).
The work on the reconstruction of the fabric decoration for the Imperial Bedchamber – from the preliminary design to the implementation in the material – lasted more than two years."
Tuesday, November 17, 2020
Alexandra's letter to Nicholas, dated February 27, 1915, and Nicholas's reply letter, dated February 28, 1915
Sources:
Above: Grigori Rasputin, whom Alexandra invariably referred to as "our Friend".
https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=inu.30000011396573&view=1up&seq=102
http://www.alexanderpalace.org/letters/february15.html
The letter:
No. 45
Tsarskoje Selo, Feb. 27-th 1915
My very own deeply beloved One,
God bless you quite particularly on this journey, & give you the possibility of seeing our brave troops nearer. Your presence will give them new force & courage & be such a recompense to them & consolation to you.
The Stavka is not the thing — you are for the troops, when & where possible — & our Friend's blessing & prayers will help.
Such a comfort for me that you saw Him & were blessed by Him this evening. Sad I cant follow you out there — but I have the little ones to look after. I shall be good & go once to town before M. B. comes & visit some hospital, as they are impatiently awaiting us there. — My Angel sweet, me no likes saying goodbye — but I wont be selfish — they need you & you must have a change.
My work & prayer must help me over the separation — the nights are so lonely — & yet you are far lonelier, poor agooweeone! —
Goodbye Lovy, I bless you — & kiss you without end, love you more than word can say.
All my soul will follow & suround you everywhere. —
I press you tenderly to my old loving heart & remain yr. very own
Wify.
Oh such pain saying goodbye! Feel so sad to-night — me does love you so intensely. God be with you. —
Nicholas's reply letter:
28 February, 1915.
MY BELOVED DARLING,
Although it is naturally very sad for me to leave you and the dear children, I am going this time with such calm in my soul that I am myself surprised. Whether it is because I had a talk with our Friend last night, or because of the newspapers which Buchanan gave me, telling of the death of Witte, or perhaps because of the feeling that something good will happen in the war — I cannot say, but in my heart reigns a truly paschal peace. How I wish that I could leave it with you too! — I was so happy to spend those two days at home — perhaps you noticed it, but I am foolish, and never speak of what I feel.
What a nuisance it is to be always so busy and not to have an opportunity for sitting quietly together and having a talk! After dinner I cannot stay indoors, as I long to get out in the fresh air — and so all the free hours pass, and the old couple seldom get a chance of being together, especially now that A. is unwell and cannot come to us.
Do not overtire yourself, my love; remember your health; let the girls work for you sometimes.
God bless you and them; I am sending you my tenderest love and kisses. Always with boundless love,
Your hubby
Nicky.
I shall always let you know where I am going.
Above: Nicholas and Alexandra. Photo courtesy of Ilya Grigoryev at lastromanovs on VK.
Above: Grigori Rasputin, whom Alexandra invariably referred to as "our Friend".
Nicholas's telegram to Alexandra, dated February 1, 1915
Source:
http://www.alexanderpalace.org/letters/february15.html
The telegram:
Telegram.
Lopasnia. 1 February, 1915.
Hearty thanks for two letters and news. The weather is mild; it is thawing. All send their greetings, and N. P. and M. their thanks.. Am looking forward to seeing you to-morrow. I embrace you and the children.
Nicky.
Above: Nicholas and Alexandra. Photo courtesy of Ilya Grigoryev at lastromanovs on VK.
Alexandra's letter to her sister Victoria, dated April 30, 1915
Source:
The Life and Tragedy of Alexandra Feodorovna by Baroness Sophie Buxhoeveden, 1928
The letter:
Nicky was at Lwoff [Lwów] and Peremyschel [Przemyśl] — most interesting. He has not yet returned as he went to Odessa, Sebastopol to see the troops, dockyards, etc. We expect him back in about 5 days. But spies are everywhere! Going to Bielostock, one threw masses of bombs from the aeroplanes on that town — railway — on Olga's sanitary train too. In time Nicky turned off — so filthy!
Above: Alexandra. Photo courtesy of Ilya Grigoryev at lastromanovs on VK.
Sunday, November 15, 2020
Alexandra's letter to Madgie Jackson, dated March 26, 1915
Source:
The Life and Tragedy of Alexandra Feodorovna by Baroness Sophie Buxhoeveden, 1928
The letter:
ZARSKOE SELO,
March 26th, 1915.
MY DARLING MADGIE, — I hope this letter will reach you by Easter, it is to bring you my tender love and blessings. We feast it the same time this year, I am glad to say — I do hope there will be no fighting for a few days then, it would be hard.
There is so much to do, tho' I am lying since a week again — overtired my heart and strength — so despairing when one wants to be useful, not only with the brain.
We have cold sunny days, masses of snow. The fall of Peremishel [Przemyśl] was such a Godsend, as it kept so many of our troops occupied which will now be free to throw elsewhere. It is interesting to have that old Russian town back again. ...
All are busy sending off Easter parcels with linen, eggs, Koulitch (bread one specially bakes for Easter), tobacco, sweets, writing paper, candles, etc., and a little Image always for them to wear. I have several 100 of letters of thanks for our presents all these months.
Must end now.
A tender kiss fr. yr. loving old
P. Q. No. III
ALIX.
Ella is well — have not met since Dec.
Above: Alexandra.
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