Dining with the Tsars is the current exhibition at the Hermitage Amsterdam, it’s a small exhibition of some of the beautiful dining sets used at the Russian court, with a lot of information about court practices, etiquette and menus. Perfect for a relaxing afternoon visit.
The dish shown above is from the “Cameo Service“, which was commissioned by Catherine the Great and presented to her lover Prince Grigory Potemkin. It’s beautiful, the astonishing turquoise colour is created by using multiple firings with a copper glaze. To make the set Sèvres had to find new manufacturing techniques.
The museum has, as usual, done a magnificent job creating the exhibition. The main hall has a series of tables set as if for dinner, each setting is slightly different, and you are able to get very close to the tables. The smaller rooms upstairs have information about the manufacturing, the dress, dining protocols and history. There are also a couple of additional services, including one given by Hungary to Stalin. Contrary to my expectations of a communist leader, Stalin entertained lavishly and used the service.
The exhibition is open until 1 March 2015, and it’s 15 euro entrance fee (or free if you use your Museumkaart).
I am not a tourist 
Nice post! Can’t wait to visit the Hermitage museum, now 🙂
I haven’t been yet, but I really should go, thanks for sharing. I read about Stalin’s dinner parties. Apparently they were lavish and everyone present had to keep up with Stalin’s heavy drinking. I don’t think many people enjoyed them.