The costume ball of 1903 is the most famous masquerade of the last Emperor of Russia

In 1903, on February 11 and 13, during the reign of the last Russian Emperor Nicholas II, the famous costume ball was held in honor of the 290th anniversary of the reign of the House of Romanov. The ball was held in the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg in two stages. All the guests were dressed in luxurious costumes of the XVII century, "pre-Petrine times", which were created by the design of the artist Sergei Solomko and with the involvement of experts on this historical period.

Grand Duke Alexander Mikhailovich, who was the emperor's great-uncle, recalled that "it was the last great court ball in the history of the empire."

Nicholas II appeared before the nobility in the exit dress of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich Romanov - in a caftan and a golden brocade, in a royal hat and with a baton (now kept in the Armory Chamber). The costume was made for Nicholas by the theatrical costumer of the Imperial Theaters I.I. Kaffi, he was assisted by two dressmakers whose names have not been preserved. The royal hat was made in the hat workshop of the Bruno brothers, suppliers of the Highest Court since 1872.

Empress Alexandra Feodorovna was dressed as Tsarina Maria Ilyinichna Miloslavskaya.

For the ball from The Armory of the Moscow Kremlin was issued 38 authentic items of royal costumes of the XVII century.

16 of them were selected for the costume of Nicholas II. Among them were pearl wrists that belonged to Ivan the Terrible's son, Tsar Fyodor Ioannovich.

As an addition to the costume, an authentic rod of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich was used. Buttons and stripes on the suit were Russian work of the XVII century.

Eyewitness's memoirs: "The impression turned out to be fabulous - from the mass of ancient national costumes, richly decorated with rare furs, magnificent diamonds, pearls and gemstones, mostly in antique frames. On this day, the family jewels appeared in such abundance that exceeded all expectations."

At the request of the Empress, the best photographers of St. Petersburg made single portraits of the participants of the masquerade ball and group photos.

In 1911, sketches for a deck of playing cards "Russian style" were developed at the German factory of card games of the company "Dondorf" (Frankfurt am Main) - with figures in costumes repeating the costumes of the participants of the ball. The cards were printed in St. Petersburg at the Alexander Manufactory, their release was timed to coincide with the celebration of the 300th anniversary of the House of Romanov.