History

In 1660, the Armenian Trading Company of New Julfa, near Isfahan, entrusted merchant Zakaria Saradarov (Sahratyan), the 14th descendant in my line, with a mission of unparalleled grandeur. He presented to Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich of Russia a gift of timeless majesty: the Diamond Throne. Meticulously created in 1659 by the master artisans of Nor Jugha, this throne was more than a gift, it was a testament to Armenian artistry, legacy, and the enduring splendor of craftsmanship that transcends centuries.

The throne’s sandalwood frame was covered with gold and silver, upholstered in velvet, and adorned with embroidered silk. Contemporary accounts record 26 kilograms of gold, 5 kilograms of silver, ivory, 876 diamonds, 1,223 gemstones including rubies, 1,298 pearls, and more than 18,000 turquoise stones.

The throne’s designer, Bogdan Saltanov (Astvatsatur Saltanian), a master artist from New Julfa, personally oversaw its creation. His work impressed the Tsar so deeply that he was invited to Moscow, where he later became a leading Kremlin Armoury artist, founded Russia’s first art academy, and eventually served as the first architect of Saint Petersburg.

The Diamond Throne remains a masterpiece of diplomacy and craftsmanship, reflecting the wealth, artistry, and influence of the 17th-century Armenian mercantile elite.