It is symbolic that the decision to establish a professional holiday of shipbuilders was realized in 2017 - the year of the 350^th anniversary of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich (father of Peter I) decree on the construction of the first Russian frigate “The Eagle” (Oryol). "The Eagle" was the first Russian sailing ship of the European type; it was a kind of the Dutch full-rigged pinnace. It was a three-masted ship with the deadweight of about 250 tons, armed with 22 cannons. The ship was intended to protect Russian merchant ships in the Caspian Sea. According to the conclusion of the Russian Historical Society, “The Eagle” became the first Russian warship built on the state order.

Many symbolic events were connected with the history of “The Eagle”. The first large Russian warship was built not far from Moscow in the village of Dedinovo, Kolomna district. According to one version, the Dutch master Harmen van Bol'es depicted its silhouette on the famous Admiralty spire in St. Petersburg. Among other things, it is believed that Russian tricolor banner was raised at the stern of this frigate for the first time in the history of Russia.

For the professional holiday of shipbuilders, we have prepared a thematic photo album with the unique silver table decorations in the form of medieval ships. The miniature ship models — the naves* (fr. Nef — the ship) with the appropriate fixed equipment and full rigging are notable for the masterly subtlety of work. They were immensely popular, gained recognition and were landmark items of the festive dinner tables’ decoration in Europe in the 14^th - 16^th centuries, which was a kind of response to the spreading of navigation and great geographical discoveries.

You can examine the exhibits in the collection subsection “European Metal Artworks".

* Nef - is a Southern European, mostly characteristic of the Mediterranean basin, wooden trading and military transport vessel of the 10^th – 16^th centuries.