Table souvenir "Arms of Russia".

The national coat of arms – double-headed eagle – was adopted by the Great Moscow Prince, Ioan III as the state emblem in 1472.

It happened right after he had married the niece of the last Byzantine Emperor Konstantin XII, Sofya Fomitchevna Paleolog.

 The double-headed eagle was the coat of arms of the Byzantine Empire. Its appearance is closely connected with a legend. It says that during the governing of Konstantin I the Great (306-337) and Justinian I (527-565) two empires – Western and Eastern, each of them with one-headed eagle on the arms – were united into one.

Besides, the new empire got a new double-headed eagle on the arms as if emphasizing the union. Before the downfall (476) the Lower Empire had in its coat of arms the double-headed black eagle with black eyes and tongues, golden beak and paws.

Then the same image appeared on the arms of the states which constituted themselves Rome successors.

 For example, German nation as well as the states, governed by the families rooted with the Byzantine emperors. The adopting of the double-headed eagle symbolized a power change – from the Byzantine emperors to the Rurik dynasty. This has been proved by the famous saying - “Moscow is the third Rome”. Later the look of arms had experienced different changes. Only in November 30, 1993, according to the presidential decree, the historic symbolism of the Russian State was successfully restored.
Henceforth the arms of the Russian Federation represents the double-headed eagle; above there are three tzar’s crowns; in eagle’s pows – there are the sceptre and the ball; on his chest – on the red shield – horseman, spearing the dragon.
The unique table souvenir made of silver and honey nephrite.

Used techniques: casting, engraving, gilding.
Sizes:
Height - 16 sm.
Pedestal's diameter - 7,5 sm.