The collections of Western European applied art were put together gradually during two centuries. Although originally most of the objects were seen simply as elements of interior decoration, now they enable us to trace the development of craft and industry in Western Europe. Silver services and other utensils, porcelain and small sculptural items, furniture, tapestries, decorative textiles, decorative stonework, carved ivory, maiolica, glassware, decorative bronzes and other items, were acquired from the reign of Peter I onwards. In terms of quantity, variety and quality, this is one of the largest collections not only in Russia but also in the world.