The emperor’s sister hid the delicacy in the sleeve of her ball gown.
Hermitage restorer Galina Fedorova came across an unexpected gift in the ball gown of Grand Duchess Ksenia Alexandrovna, sister of Russian Emperor Nicholas II, according to the museum’s official Instagram account, RIA Novosti reported.
In a video published by the museum, Fedorova tells in detail how she restored the dress she wore to the famous ball in 1903, dedicated to the 300th anniversary of the Romanov home, as well as the interesting find hidden in the sleeve of the garment.
According to the restorer, before starting work everything is carefully checked, especially the folds, where dust, dirt and fibers usually accumulate. When she reached the sleeves, she noticed that one of them was sewn, but quite loose.
“I pulled out the thread and something fell into my palm: one pink, irregularly shaped. I don’t know why, but I decided to lick it – and it tasted sweet, “she says.
The mysterious “something” was a candy from the early twentieth century, eaten by the Grand Duchess during the ball.
“Since the princess apparently did not have the opportunity to leave it somewhere, she hid the candy in her sleeve,” added Nina Tarasova, a curator in the wardrobe of the Department of History of Russian Culture, where the clothes are stored.
In addition, traces of embossed letters were found on the delicacy. Experts believe that they are on behalf of the confectionery, a supplier to the imperial court. The candy has been studied by biologists and they have found that it has survived in good condition: there are no traces of mold and other harmful microorganisms.
Ksenia Romanova also survived the revolutionary upheavals – unlike her eldest brother Nicholas II, in February 1917 she managed to leave Russia before the Bolsheviks took power in Petrograd. He died in London in 1960, at the age of 85.
Photo: Russian candies do not lose their taste even after 100 years / State Hermitage
