Details
THE SMALL COAT OF ARMS OF UKRAINE
The sculpture Small Coat of Arms of Ukraine is a creation forged from the “ashes of war.”
Dimensions: 50 x 35 cm | 19⅒ x 13⅘ in
Gross Weight: ~6 kg (including a certificate)
Provenance
The Author: Sergey Melnikoff (MFF) in collaboration with Ukrainian welder Victor Bielchyk.
This works of art was created in Odesa, Ukraine, in 2023—2025, during a critical phase of the Russian-Ukrainian war.
Owner and Seller: The Soul of Ukraine Foundation, Inc. — a U.S.-based charitable public corporation registered under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
A 501(c)(3) tax-deductibility certificate is issued to the purchaser, allowing the full amount expended to be written off for U.S. federal tax purposes.
Further Details
An exclusive artwork created by Sergey Melnikoff and Viktor Bielchyk in a limited number of copies. Each piece is accompanied by a numbered certificate of authenticity signed by MFF.
The Small Coat of Arms of Ukraine
Identity Through Art
By William Beischel
State symbols are not merely emblems — they are crystallized memory, reflecting a nation’s path, its suffering, its aspirations, and its victories. In Sergey Melnikoff’s Small Coat of Arms of Ukraine, crafted from the fragments of mines and shells, contemporary art reaches a rare height where artistic expression becomes a national prayer. This artwork is not just an image of the Tryzub (Trident), Ukraine’s official symbol. It is the embodiment of a spirit unbroken by war, a nation forged in fire that has held onto its dignity.
Unlike the Great Coat of Arms of Ukraine, a monumental piece, the Small Coat of Arms carries an intimate, almost sacred power. It is like an icon, meant not only for public display but also for deep personal reflection. In it, metal does not merely echo the memory of battle — it becomes a vessel of prayer for both the living and the fallen. Each fragment bears the trace of pain, yet when joined together, they cease to be wounds and become a scar — the mark of a nation that has survived.
Sergey Melnikoff (left) and Viktor Bielchyk present a sculpture of the Small Coat of Arms of Ukraine in their workshop. The piece was created from fragments of artillery shells and mines collected from areas of intense fighting against the Russian invaders.
Odesa, Ukraine, 2024.
Photo by Mariia Universaliuk
Sergey Melnikoff: The Artist of National Conscience
Sergey Melnikoff, known by his artistic name MFF, is a singular figure. His contribution to Ukrainian art transcends aesthetic value. His creations are declarations — acts of testimony, symbolic weapons that resist aggression through culture. Melnikoff’s works, including The Cross of Peace, The Ukrainian Phoenix, and both versions of Ukraine’s coat of arms, represent a rare fusion of artistic mastery, conceptual depth, and unwavering civic conviction.
By using artillery remnants as his medium, Melnikoff transforms instruments of destruction into acts of spiritual rebirth. His art does not dwell on suffering alone, but on overcoming it. It speaks of strength — of how even the war-twisted metal can be forged into a symbol of national dignity.
During the conference commemorating the 80th anniversary of the deportation of the Chechen people, held in Kyiv on February 28, 2024, Sergey Melnikoff presents to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy a sculpture of the Small Coat of Arms of Ukraine, crafted from ammunition fragments. The artwork is accompanied by a personalized certificate of authenticity.
From left to right: Sergey Melnikoff, Ukraine’s third President Viktor Yushchenko, and Mykhailo Podolyak, advisor to President Zelenskyy.
Photo by Mariia Universaliuk
The Contemporary Significance of the Small Coat of Arms
Today, as the Ukrainian nation continues its fight for independence and territorial integrity, Melnikoff’s works have taken on the aura of sacred relics. The Small Coat of Arms of Ukraine is not simply a piece of art — it is an object worthy of diplomatic presentation, museum preservation, and national reverence. It is an icon of resistance and a symbol of unity.
This artwork also plays a key role in international dialogue. Through its unique artistic language and deep ideological resonance, it sends a universal message — about the price of freedom, about pain and pride, about the fragility and resilience that define Ukraine.
Honor Through Art
If you’re inspired by the unique technique of crafting modern art from the “ashes of war,”
you can commission a custom piece—be it your national emblem or corporate logo.
Ideal for private collections, distinguished gifts, or tributes of national significance.
The Small Coat of Arms of Ukraine is a creation where tragedy and triumph are bound together. Through the lens of art, Sergey Melnikoff transforms evidence of destruction into symbols of eternity. His works are not just markers of a moment in history — they are foundations of the future. In them lives the indomitable and radiant soul of Ukraine.
The Small Coat of Arms of Ukraine
Estimate
USD 5,000 — 10,000
A powerful symbol of resilience and gratitude, this exclusive edition of the Small Coat of Arms of Ukraine is handcrafted from authentic fragments of mines and shells.
Each piece is a true original, accompanied by a laser-engraved certificate of authenticity on a polished stainless steel plaque, elegantly mounted on a base of fine wood—making it a meaningful and timeless keepsake.
One of these coats of arms was presented by the artist to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as well as to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine.
Artworks by MFF are accompanied by an original certificate of authenticity, laser-engraved on an A4-sized stainless steel plate. The plate is mounted on an elegant base made of fine hardwood.
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Related Videos
A video showcasing the creation process of The Great Coat of Arms of Ukraine sculpture.
A video by the State Information Agency of Ukraine, Ukrinform, covering the solemn church consecration ceremony of the sculpture The Great Coat of Arms of Ukraine at the St. Volodymyr Cathedral in Kyiv.
The rite of blessing is performed by Archbishop Andriy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kyiv Patriarchate.
Kyiv, Ukraine. November 1, 2023
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