On December 4, 2019, a public lecture "Tbilisian Silver vessel from St. Petersburg Museum collection" was held by Dr. Ana Shanshiashvili, Doctor of Art Studies.

The lecture was held within the framework of a project (FR17-503 - "Virtual Anastilos of the Georgian Moving Cultural Heritage based on the Research of Collections Preserved in the St. Petersburg Museums. Leading Organization: Tbilisi State Academy of Arts. Scientific Coordinator: Prof. Clara/Inga Karaia) funded by the Shota Rustaveli Foundation.

In St. Petersburg museums, in particular in Russian Museum of Ethnography and the State Hermitage, rather large collection of Tbilisi silver vessels from 19^th century is preserved, which contrast with Georgian museums and private collections is an interesting example of Anastilos. Particularly, in the Hermitage Collection we can see Karkara of Ekaterine Chavchavadze, which creates a united collection together with the collection of Kutaisi Historical Museum (Dadiani silverware); A direct parallel to the silver tray preserved in the Russian Museum of Ethnography is preserved in the Chateau Mukhrani collection, in the Hermitage’s Armenian Collection Hall silver surahs and pines are exhibited whose comparison with parallel vessels (Private collections, G. Eliava St. The Martial Arts Museum Collection) undoubtedly indicates that these vessels also belong to the Tbilisi school. Separately should be mentioned some things distinguished by its iconography from the Russian Ethnography Museum collection. Karkara, for example, with its unique erotic scene, whose analysis in the broader cultural context leads to interesting conclusions.

On the report was presented author’s observations and thoughts on the thematic-iconographic sources of silverware in the St. Petersburg museums, which in turn were supported by an analysis of parallel material.