Thrones

thrones during that era. But, what are available presently from that era, tell us that different types of thrones existed. For instance, in some miniature paintings, we come across sample of wooden thrones adorned with carvings in mosaic patterns²⁸.

Figure 41- On pages of Ferdowsi’s Shāhnāmēh , Iran Furniture Museum

made use of in Pahlavi Court. During this period, Iranian artists also manufactured thrones, which adorned many Iranian museums. For example, the Tāvoos (Peacock) Throne and Nader’s Throne are kept in the National Jewelry Museum. Marble throne manufactured by Iranian artists are kept in the Golestān Palace in Tehran.

. “ Nāderi “ Throne during Qājār Period

Nāderi Throne is a title for a throne ordered by Fatali Shāh²⁹, the second king of the Qājār Dynasty, to the jewelry makers of Tehran. This throne has carved stones and twenty-two thousand precious stones and gems. This throne is composed of nine sections. The combination of ornamentations is more exquisite than that of the Tāvoos Throne. The up-stand of the throne contains large colorful stones, which makes it more alluring. On each side of the back piece of the throne, the feathers of the peacock are engraved and in its center, there is a crown. On the two sides, there are also two intertwined dragons or salamanders, which their tails are formed into the heads of eagles or parrots. Dragons are also carved in the first two steps of the throne.

The first riser is carved with an embossed lion; this animals coating is adorned with jewelry. On each side of the throne, there are stones, which inside the stones, two parrots can be seen.

This throne accompanied the king on his journeys. The rest of the time, it was kept in the royal treasury. Up to the time of the National Bank’s enactment law, this throne was kept in the gallery for ceremonial rites adjacent to the Tāvoos Throne and later moved to the Royal Jewelry Museum. The last time this throne was used was for the Crowning Ceremony of Mohammad Shāh Pahlavi on the 26^th October 1967 in Golestān Palace. This throne is presently in the Jewelry Museum of the National Bank in Tehran.

Sometimes, the Nāderi Throne is mistaken for the Tāvoos Throne by name. By mistake, people believe as its name carries Nāderi, it belongs to Nāder Shāh. Nāder is a Farsi noun, which means scarce. This Nāderi Throne for its uniqueness was named Nāderi.

By order of Fatali Shāh,in 1801, and with the consultation of his prime minister, Hāji Mohammad Hussein Khān Sadr Āsef Hāee ( Nezām Dolē), The Tāvoos Throne was awarded to

Isfahān jewelers for construction. At firs, it named Sun Throne and is one of the jewel-studded thrones of Iran.

In 1809, Fatali Shāh married Tāvoos Tāj Dolē (aged only nine years old). This throne was named after his bride as Tāvoos Throne. Presently, this throne is, also, in the National Bank Jewelry Museum. It should be noted that this is a different throne to that which Nāder Shāh³⁰ brought back from India along with Kooh-ē-Noor³¹ and Daria-ē-Noor³².

After the assassination of Nāder Shāh this throne was dismantled and all stones were stolen. The throne was brought back from India was named the Peacock throne because two peacocks were engraved on the two sides of the up-stand of the seat. The feathers of the peacock were adorned with ruby, emeralds, pearls and other precious stones. Thus, this throne was constructed in the 17^th century for Shāh Jahān of Gorkāni ³³ Dynasty. He made use of this throne during his general audience in Delhi. The diamond named Kooh-ē-Noor and Daria-ē-Noor ³⁴were imposed on the up-stand.

30 “Nader Shah”, (1688-1747) was the first king of Afshārid Dynasty and reigned from 1736 up to his assassination in 1747. He is one of the most famous kings after the Arab invasion and is considered the most powerful king of Iran after The Arab invasion.

31 “Kooh-ē Noor”, was the largest diamond when first cut, it weighed 37.21 grams or in size 186.625 Karat. It was recut in 1854 and its weight was reduced to 21.61 grams and in volume 105.602 Karat. This diamond kept in the National Bank of Iran is the partner to Dariā-ē-Noor. This stone was

discovered in Golkandē Castle near Heydar Ābad, in the province of Andra Pradesh, India in 1656.

32 “Dariā-ē-Noor”, pink in color, is one of the largest diamonds in the world.

It is kept in the Central Bank of Iran.

33 “Mohammad Shāh Gurkāni”, (1702-1748) was also known as the lighting star.

He became king at the age of 17. Gurkānis are direct descendants of Teymoori the Great. He reigned from 1719-1748.

34 “Darya-i-Nur”, in the Persian Language means "Sea of Light" or "Ocean of Light" (Darya-sea or ocean, Nur-light). The name was probably given by the Persians after it was plundered from India, by Nadir Shah (Iranian), together with other valuables, which included the Koh-i-Nur (Mountain of Light) and the Nur-ul-Ain (Light of the Eye), and the jewel-studded peacock throne of Shah Jahaan.

Figure 42 - Nāderi Throne during Qājār Period, Iran Furniture Museum

. Marble Throne of Qājār Era

It was constructed in 1806 by the order of Fatali Shāh. The purpose of this throne was to be placed in the veranda of his royal palace, as the other thrones accompanied his majesty on his royal tours. This throne became known as the marble throne. On its sides, poems by FadaliKhān Sabā were engraved with the name and the date and the name of its manufacturing. The name of the main artist, Mohammad Ibrāhim, was also engraved. The designer of this throne is Mirzā Bābāyē ShirāziNagāsh Bāshi³⁵. This throne comprises of sixty-five pieces of yellow marbles extracted from the marble mines in Yazd. Its height is one meter. The seat has two pieces; one with dimensions of 2x3 meters and its up-stand is 1.70x1.28 meters. The throne has three legs depicting giants, six legs angels and eleven pillars intertwined snakes. All are placed under the marble seats. The majority of the legs are on the periphery and all of them headed by a lion. On the risers of the first two steps, there are the two dragons and on sides of the first step, two lions are engraved. We can also refer to the works belonging to the Qājār and the Pahlavi Dynasties, which today ornament many of Iranian museums such as the National Museum.

Islamic period onwards and among samples found, we could refer to one turquoise colored clayey seat manufactured by molding techniques. With each side of the two armrests and six legs shaped like a half body of a lion. This piece was found in Gorgān and belongs to the 12^th century AD and has a height of 25.5 centimeters and a length of 24.3 centimeters.

35 “Mirzā Bābāyē Shirāzi Nagāsh Bāshi”, was born in Shiraz, He painted from the beginning of Zandiye Dynasty up to the Fatali Shāh era. He could be termed as a very able and capable portrait artist. His main works were painted during Fatali Shāh time. He was also the master of ceremonies for conferences and military gathering. His selection of color was very exquisite.

Figure 44 - Marble Throne, Iran Furniture Museum