Medieval Boyarin [Blue]

Product Description

Medieval Boyarin (Средневековый Боярин). A fine fellow dressed in a blue over coat with fancy gold buttons. His tall hat, often trimmed with fur, indicates his social status. He holds a long staff in his left hand. Carved and hand painted with a high-gloss lacquer finish. Made in Sergiev-Posad, Russia, signed by the artist and dated 1993. 4⅜" in height. 1 only, as shown.

Boyars were members of the highest rank of the feudal Moscovian and Kievan aristocracies. They ranked just below the ruling princes and, from the 10th-17th centuries, wielded considerable power due to their military support of the Kievan princes. Ukrainian and Russian boyars were visually very similar to knights. They were state officials and had their own council (duma) and were legislators as well. This duma was abolished by Peter the Great in 1711.