Famous for its gold embroidery, the ancient city of Torzhok in Tver region has always been considered the pride of Russia. This ancient city was founded by Novgorod merchants at the end of XI century. The location was convenient, at the intersection of trade routes. No one passed by, every traveler bought or sold something, and no one left here without miraculous gold embroidery. The country’s only institution that trains masters of gold embroidery is Torzhok art school. Torzhok still maintains and develops the traditions of goldwork masters.
Wise cat. Torzhok gold embroidery
In Torzhok everybody was engaged in gold embroidering – wealthy nobles, daughters of merchants, ordinary citizens, poor peasants. Gold embroidery was considered a real art. Everyone bragged to each other whose textile was embroidered richer. Torzhok Coat-of-Arms was approved October 10, 1780, together with other arms of the city of Tver governorship. “In a blue field three silver and three gold doves in red collars.”
Torzhok maintains and develops the traditions of goldwork masters
Once Catherine II herself decided to visit Torzhok. Local craftswomen knew how to surprise the queen. Of course it was gold embroidery. They decided to make for her a dress of blue satin and embroider gold lilies on it. Catherine loved the dress so much that took craftswoman who made such a miracle, with her to St. Petersburg. In St. Petersburg Catherine selected 19 most beautiful girls, sent them to learn the skill to Torzhok. She said that beautiful things should be created only by beautiful people. Reduced copy of the dress of Catherine the Great. This dress was so pleased to Catherine that, contrary to court etiquette, it was put on twice
Angels dancing. The museum of Gold embroidery school in TorzhokClothes decorated with goldworkCollar of cardigan. Embroidered with gold thread. Torzhok. 19 century. Folk Art Museum. MoscowDelicate angel. The Gold embroidery school in TorzhokEmbroidered boots. The museum of Gold embroidery school in TorzhokEmbroidered folk dresses. The museum of Gold embroidery school in TorzhokFirebird. Represented in the museum of Gold embroidery school in TorzhokGold embroidered folk dress. The museum of Gold embroidery school in Torzhokgolden bootsgolden carpetGold-school students workGold-school students workIcon in the museum of Gold embroidery school in TorzhokSaint Trinity. The museum of Gold embroidery school in TorzhokThe museum of Gold embroidery school in Torzhok. Students’ workThe Sun. Gold embroidery school in TorzhokTorzhok Gold embroideryTorzhok maintains and develops the traditions of goldwork mastersTorzhok. Gold embroidery school in TorzhokFamous for its gold embroidery, the city of Torzhok in Tver region has been always considered to be the pride of Russia