Andrey Postnikov (1835–1900) was a Russian merchant, entrepreneur, and collector. He was born into a family of icon merchants in the capital. Andrey Mikhailovich also collected Russian icons for almost fifty years. His collection included 211 items, among which were not only antique icons, but also those created in the 19^th century, although painted in the style of the 15^th-17^th centuries. The major achievement of Andrey Postnikov was establishing of a well-known enterprise engaged in the manufacture of silver, gold and, especially, bronze items.

In 1865, Andrey Mikhailovich became a merchant of the second guild. On January 31, 1868, he submitted a request for permission to open a factory producing gold, silver and bronze items in Moscow, in the Meshchanskaya part of the 1^st quarter, in the house of his mother, a merchant's widow. On February 29, the Trade Department of the Ministry of Finance issued such a permit. The inspection report notes that up to 50 people worked at the factory at that time, 20 of whom were apprentices. The factory was equipped with one manual stamping machine, one pressing machine, one turning machine and two guillotine machines. The smelting furnace and blacksmith's bellows were located separately. By 1870, the company's annual turnover was 250,000 rubles, and it employed 63 adults and 24 apprentices. The factory had a forge and workshops: carpentry, pattern making and stone cutting. That same year, a special school for training jewelers was opened at the factory. The school was patronized by Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich, the fifth son of Alexander II.

A few years later, the factory began to grow rapidly – orders increased and the workshops could no longer cope with the increased workload.
Postnikov bought a large plot of land and built a new main building, where all the factory work was concentrated. The enterprise was primarily focused on the production of church utensils and accepted orders for making elements of any complexity for interior decoration of churches.
 In 1877, the firm received the honorary title of Supplier to His Imperial Majesty Court. At court, the products of Andrey Postnikov were highly valued by Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich and his wife Maria Pavlovna, and even by the English royal family. The enterprise of Andrey Mikhailovich participated in many exhibitions and received a significant number of awards. At the All-Russian Manufactory Exhibition in St. Petersburg in 1870, the company was awarded a bronze medal for making silver church utensils. In 1872, at the Polytechnic Exhibition in Moscow, in 1873 at the World Exhibition in Vienna, and in 1876 at the World Exhibition in Philadelphia, the company received the highest awards. In 1986, the A.M. Postnikov Metal Products Factory Partnership was formed. In addition to the factory, Postnikov was the owner of the Passage in Tverskaya Street, where the office of the Partnership and shop were located. The building has been preserved and now houses the M.N. Ermolova Theatre. The factory produced tableware, cups, vases, all kinds of cutlery and crockery, office stationary, clocks, elegant desk folders (blotting cases), albums, cigarette cases, sculptural compositions, all kinds of holy vessels and icons for sale in the factory shop. The products combined skilful silver filigree, gilding and magnificent enamel ornaments. Medals, awards and uniform insignia, and buttons were also created. The firm of Postnikov was renowned for its superb craftsmanship in creating delicate relief patterns, works in the Byzantine and Russian styles of the 15^th-17^th centuries, and large bronze chandeliers. The company received numerous orders, especially for the manufacture of liturgical items. One of the first was the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour. The factory created separate elements for the project in the early 1890s. The factory was commissioned to produce a bronze reliquary for the Church of the Annunciation. It was designed in the form of an Old Russian tomb, which was to house 28 reliquaries with sacred objects, and was enclosed by a grille. The sketch was developed by the factory owner's son, Dmitry Postnikov.

Andrey Mikhailovich had three (according to some sources, four) sons. After his death, Dmitry Andreevich took over the management of the company. Gradually, the factory reduced production. It fulfilled its last large order in 1902-1905, for the Novocherkassk Cathedral. Then the lengthy liquidation of the partnership began and it lasted until 1915.

 Andrey Mikhailovich Postnikov made a significant contribution to the development of Russian jewellery art in the 19^th century. His cabinet items, made with highest quality and attention to detail, were extremely popular. The museum Collection exposition features a number of very interesting and diverse works. We have prepared thematic photo album so that you can examine them in detail.