The embroidered podea with the images of saints from the state Russian museum. On the question of the iconographical program, the donators and the attribution of the item

The article analyzes the composition of the embroidered podea (pelena) with the images of Sts. Basil the Great and Basil the Fool-for-Christ (in the center), Daniel the Stylite and Matrona (on the borders). In 1938 the podea was transferred from the State Hermitage Museum to the State Russian Museum. Lately the iconography of the podea attracted the attention of several researchers. The author of the article suggests a new interpretation of the iconography of the embroidered pelena. The interpretation bases on the analysis of historical sources concerning the princely family of Mezetsky. To the author’s mind, the podea was embroidered around 1607 by the order of Daniel and Matrona Mezetsky in connection with their nephew Basil’s death. The family tree of the last generations of Mezetsky, attached to the article, indicates the process of the clan’s extinction in early 17th century. It led to a more close connection between older and younger generations of the Mezetsky family, including distant relations. The analysis of childless Daniel Mezetsky’s last will and testament also indicates that the testator handed down the movable and real property to collateral relations.