RUSSIAN REGALIA.
The empire of Russia has the most splendid collection of diamonds of
any country in the world, with the exception, perhaps, of Persia. In
the Kremlin at Moscow, and the Winter Palace at St. Petersburg, are
preserved a multitude of gems of the highest perfection and beauty,
and also many interesting ornaments formed or captured by the early
rulers of Russia. Possessing many of the avenues of approach and trade
with the countries of Central and Southern Asia, this country has long
enjoyed excellent facilities for obtaining the gems from Upper India
and Persia. The enormous quantity the treasury still possesses, added
to the great number given away in past times by various sovereigns,
naturally gives rise to the inquiry, whence this great abundance of
precious stones came. We may say that this grand accumulation commenced
in the earliest days of the Russian dynasty, and has been steadily
increasing by direct intercourse with the gem-producing countries.
Many of the fine gems that fell into the hands of the Turks in their
various conquests, have indirectly passed, by purchase or otherwise,
into the possession of the Russians.
Some others recall the times of the incursions of the Cossacks of the
tenth century, when the fearless hordes of the North marched even to
the gates of Constantinople, and imposed menaces and ransoms upon the
Greek emperors.
The crafty policy of the Russian dates back from those distant times.
“Let us be content,” said the old Russian chieftain to his impetuous
warriors complaining of treaties and tributes; “is it not better to
obtain, without fighting, the gold, the silver, the silk, the precious
stones of these people?”
The still earlier Scythians, with their light active horse, performed
incredible journeys even into Illyricum and Thrace. The river Danube
offered but a slight barrier to these fearless riders; and they boldly
traversed flood, forest, and plain, sweeping, with impunity and menace,
even up to the walls of Byzantium. They pillaged, without remorse, the
rich towns and country palaces of the nobles, and returned to their
forest wilds accompanied by thousands of captives, and laden with booty
of immense value.
We are also reminded by the historian, that a part of Russia,
especially Poland, was the Sarmatia of the ancients, whence issued
the fearless swarms of invincible Huns and Goths and Sclavonians, who
spread desolation at various times over nearly the whole of Europe.
Although these fierce hordes seldom returned to their native plains,
preferring the sunnier portions of the conquered countries, yet they
did not abandon all communication with the land of their birth. Many of
their incursions into the Roman provinces were rewarded with immense
booty of captives, and a variety of plunder. For fifteen hundred years
the customs of the Poles were but little changed. The love of nomadic
life, of magnificence, of arms, dress, ornaments, was a predominating
trait until a very recent period. The famous political assemblies of
the Poles on the plain of Volo were among the grandest displays of
barbaric splendors of any age; and sometimes one hundred thousand Poles
were assembled in conclave.
The chivalry, the wealth of the country, was represented there. All
the nobles and citizens of note attended, mounted upon the finest
horses, and caparisoned and decorated in the most lavish manner. As the
historian says, “The children of the desert strove to hide the furs and
skins in which they were clothed, under chains of gold and the glitter
of jewels. Their bonnets were composed of panther skin; plumes of
eagles or herons surmounted them; on their front were the most splendid
precious stones. Their robes of sable or ermine were bound with
velvet or silver; their girdles studded with jewels; over all their
furs were suspended chains of diamonds. One hand of each nobleman was
without a glove; on it was the splendid ring on which the arms of his
family were engraved,--the mark, as in ancient Rome, of the equestrian
order,--another proof of the intimate connection between the race, the
customs, the traditions of the Northern tribes, and the founders of the
Eternal City.” But nothing in this rivalry of magnificence could equal
the splendor of their arms: double poniards, double scimetars set with
brilliants; bucklers of costly workmanship; battle-axes enriched in
silver and glittering with emeralds and sapphires.
After reviewing the history of ancient and mediæval Poland, we are
not surprised at the accumulation of gems in Russia, nor at the fact
that some of the fine gems now in the modern cabinets of Europe were
obtained from that country. For instance, the splendid green diamond of
Dresden came from Warsaw.
The grand repository of the Empire is in the towers of the Kremlin;
and here are preserved the sacred relics and the almost innumerable
treasures of the Empire. In the galleries of this ancient castle of
the Muscovites are gathered such an accumulation of wonders that the
visitor is fairly dazzled, and is forcibly reminded of the tales of
Eastern romance, of the munificence of the store-house of the Caliph
Haroun-Al-Raschid, and the wells of Aboul Kasem.
Diamonds, rubies, sapphires, emeralds, topazes, and other gems, of
large size and wondrous beauty, flash from every side of the apartment;
and their profusion astonishes the mineralogist, who has been
accustomed to regard these natural treasures as rare. It will be quite
impossible to enumerate or explain properly the glittering arrangement
of these marvellous works of art and nature. The sceptres, the crowns,
the caskets, the reliquaries, the globes, thrones, and the insignia
of religion and royalty collected here, fairly dazzle the eye by the
reflections from the immense number of gems which decorate them. The
scene reminds one of the prismatic effect of the rays of the morning or
evening sun upon the numberless raindrops on the grass, after a shower
has passed.
Here we shall find the crowns of the Muscovite Czars, together with the
captured diadems and regalia of the countries that form a part of this
vast realm. Among them may be seen, in all of their original quaintness
and splendor, the crowns of Siberia, Novgorod, Kazan, Moscow, Poland,
and the Crimea. To this imperial display we may expect to see added, at
no distant day, the jewels of the Southern countries, which seem to be
the inevitable heirlooms of the sagacious Cossack.
To describe correctly, and in a proper manner, the works of ancient,
mediæval, and modern art collected here, would require a large volume
by itself. We will, however, attempt to give a brief description
of some of the beautiful crowns, which, though generally of rude
workmanship, are yet studded with gems of an immense value, and are
also objects of great historic interest.
Foremost of all, appears the magnificent diadem worn by the former
Empress Anna Ivanovna, and which is, perhaps, one of the most splendid
jewels of its kind in the world. It is well proportioned, and lightly
formed of open gold work, incrusted with a vast number of exquisite
gems, and among them 2,536 diamonds of great perfection. On its top,
serving as a base to a slender cross of pearls, is placed the immense
and wonderful ruby, which the Russian ambassador purchased at Pekin, at
the price of 120,000 roubles.
The crown of Vladimir, which is used at the crowning of the heir to
the throne, is composed of filigree gold-work, surmounted by a cross
of plain gold, with a large pearl on each arm. It is surrounded at its
base by a band of sable fur, and is ornamented with 4 fine emeralds, 2
rubies, and 25 pearls.
This crown was a gift from the Emperor Alexis Comnenus, and was brought
with ceremony from Constantinople, by a Greek embassy, in the year 1116.
This circumstance recalls to memory the history and fate of the last of
the Comnenuses, the self-styled Emperor of Trebizond, and who afforded
so many themes of ridicule to the knights and troubadours of the
fifteenth century.
In connection with our subject, it may be proper to give a sketch of
the appearance of this potentate when he gave an audience to foreign
ambassadors.
His dress was a tight gown of scarlet silk; around his neck, down the
front of his gown, and around the bottom of it, were bands of gold
about four inches wide; these were edged with pearls, and ornamented
with large rubies and emeralds in rows down the centre of each band
of gold. On his arms, above the elbows, were golden armlets, and
around his wrists gold bracelets, all set with precious stones of
various colors. His girdle was of the same pattern, about three inches
wide, and had a hanging end about two feet long, which the Byzantine
emperors, for some undiscovered reason, always carried over the left
arm. In his right hand he bore a golden sceptre about three feet long,
with a large cross at the top, set with enormous pearls. On his head he
wore a close golden crown, of which the top was arranged in metal like
a helmet. From this crown a fillet set with pearls hung down on each
side of his face as far as his beard, which was of considerable length.
Scarlet silk hose and golden sandals completed the Imperial costume,
except two round ornaments of gold, each of the size of a plate, which
were affixed to his robe on the outside of his thigh.
Such was the appearance of this vain ruler when he gave audience to
the envoys of Mahomet II., the conqueror of Constantinople. The plain
steel-clad warriors of the Sultan briefly said, “Wilt thou secure thy
treasures and thy life by resigning thy kingdom; or wilt thou rather
forfeit thy kingdom, thy treasures, and thy life?”
The sceptre of Vladimir is also preserved here. It is about three feet
long, and contains among its ornaments 268 diamonds, 360 rubies, and 15
emeralds. The enamel covering of the rest of the surface, unadorned
by the gems, represents religious subjects, painted and treated in the
Byzantine style.
The tiara of Astrakhan is far more complex in its construction, and is
very rich in barbaric taste. It is now known as the gold Imperial Crown
of the First Order of the Czar; and is a tall, imposing structure,
covered with brilliant gems. Among them are many fine rubies, emeralds,
pearls, and an enormous sapphire of great value.
The crown of Kazan, captured in 1553 by John IV., is a very interesting
specimen of mediæval workmanship, and shows the influence of Persian
art in its arrangement. It is of gold filigree-work, intermixed with
black, and is adorned with splendid rubies, turquoises, and pearls. On
the summit is placed a very large ruby, surmounted with two pearls.
The ornament known as the diamond cap of the Czar is a singular
combination of the rude and the beautiful in art. It is profusely
garnished with 817 diamonds of the first water, besides 4 magnificent
rubies and 8 emeralds. This is also surmounted with an enormous ruby,
which sustains on its summit a solid Greek cross, composed of gems and
pearls set in gold.
We have not space to describe the remaining diadems of ancient rulers,
or those of recent times, nor the rich breast-crosses, the sceptres,
and the various regalia used in the coronation of the Russian Emperors,
but will mention the Grand Imperial Orb, before proceeding to the
description of the ancient and curious thrones.
The Orb is an immense globe of gold, heavily chased and richly
incrusted with large and beautiful gems. It is surmounted with a tall
Greek cross, also studded with precious stones of the purest water and
color. It is of Byzantine workmanship, as early as the tenth century,
and is said to have served as model for several other ornaments of this
character, made at Venice in later times. The upper portion of the
exterior of the globe is arranged in four triangular spaces, whereon
are enamelled in color scenes from the life of David. Among the gems
which are set in enamelled gold are 58 diamonds, 89 rubies, 23 blue
gems(?), 50 emeralds, and 38 pearls.
The three unique chairs used as thrones in the coronations of the
rulers of Russia are objects of historical interest and are of great
value intrinsically. The smallest of the three, designated as the
Stool, is the most ancient of all, having been presented in 1605 by
Shah Abbas of Persia to the Czar Boris Godunoff. It is completely
covered with polished sheets of beaten gold decorated with pearls and
precious stones. The second seat is in the form of a high-back chair
of rude workmanship, and is intended for the reigning Empress, and
is called the Golden Throne. Although its proportions are uncouth, a
mine of wealth has been expended in its decorations, and it is inlaid
with 1,500 rubies, 8,000 turquoises, 2 magnificent topazes, and 4 rare
amethysts. The third chair, of rude construction, was made as early as
1660, and is intended for the Emperor, and designated as the Diamond
Throne. It is literally a mass of sparkling diamonds; and every portion
of the chair is aglow with brilliant colored flashes of the diamonds,
so profusely is this gem used in its decoration. The rude and imperfect
cutting of these beautiful stones indicates their Oriental origin as
well as their antiquity.
The Priests’ Treasury in the Kremlin is a wonderful accumulation of
wealth. We will attempt to describe but one of the articles to be
seen there. In a golden casket studded with the finest gems may be
seen some ancient holy relics given by one of the Greek Emperors of
Constantinople. Among them there is a fragment of stone from the tomb
of Christ, and a bit of wood from the cross. The elegance and richness
of the casket will remind the antiquary of the receptacle of the tooth
of Buddha, which was formerly preserved at Kandy, the capital of Ceylon.
This relic was kept in a golden casket incrusted with the finest
gems. This was also encased in four other boxes, all of which were
studded with precious stones of enormous value, and forming together a
priceless reliquary to which none of the shrines of civilized countries
could offer an equal in comparison, not excepting that of the famous
Virgin of Loretto in Italy.
In the great hall devoted to the collection of arms and armor may be
seen a great number of articles highly interesting to the antiquary
and historian. Arms and armor of all periods from Europe and Asia are
represented here,--the plain steel-clad vestments of the Crusader;
the richly chased and inlaid coats of mail of the knights of mediæval
times; the light defences of the Persian and Saracen horsemen,
glittering with those gems which were supposed to possess the power of
averting fatal missiles; the casques of the Circassian mountaineers,
brilliant with barbaric decorations; scimetars, bucklers, scabbards,
and a great variety of other arms, resplendent with the most beautiful
of the rarest and most precious stones.
There is also a most costly and unique collection of saddles and
horse-gear to be seen. These are mostly presents of Emperors of
Constantinople in early times, and from Grand Turks and Persian Shahs
of later periods. Some of these are of great value and contain gems of
historic interest. Their decorations are profuse; and the bits, curbs,
bridles, headstalls, and, in fact, all portions of the trappings that
will admit of the setting of precious stones, are literally incrusted
with splendid gems, forming stars, suns, and various ornaments of
grotesque shapes.
In one of the rooms of the Winter Palace at St. Petersburg are
deposited many of the jewels of the Empire, and especially those
required in the court ceremonies.
Among them may be seen the beautiful crowns and coronets of the late
Emperor and Empress. The crown of the Emperor is of magnificent
workmanship, and dazzles the eye with the splendor of its gems. In
outline it resembles the dome-formed patriarchal mitre, which was a
favorite shape among the Byzantines. Upon the summit appears a cross
formed of five beautiful diamonds, which is also supported by a large
spinel ruby, polished, but not faceted. This ruby and cross are
supported by a foliated arch composed of eleven great diamonds and
rising from the back and front of the base of the crown. On either
side of this central arch is attached a hoop formed of thirty-eight
large and perfect pearls. The spaces on either side of these arches
are filled with leaf-work and ornaments in silver, incrusted with
diamonds underlaid with the richest purple velvet. The band which forms
the base of the crown is of gold, and is ornamented with twenty-eight
magnificent diamonds.
The coronet of the Empress is thought to be the most beautiful
collection of diamonds ever presented to the view in a single ornament.
It is composed of four very large diamonds of the purest water, and
eighteen others of slightly smaller size, together with a multitude of
lesser diamonds of exquisite water. The flash of these beautiful gems
reminds the observer of a collection of rainbows.
Among the other regalia of this collection may be seen the most
remarkable necklace of diamonds in Europe. In the links which form the
chain are twenty-two huge brilliants of great value, and, as pendants
to the connecting chain, fifteen other diamonds of surprising size
appear, forming an ornament of great beauty.
In this room may also be seen the plume of Russia’s great general,
Suvaroff. It is an aigrette composed entirely of diamonds of wonderful
lustre, and was the gift of the Sultan of Turkey.
Among the curiosities preserved here are the Order of Saint Andrew,
mounted with five pink diamonds; also two of the famous Siberian
beryls,--one green, the other blue,--surrounded in their settings with
diamonds.
In the museum of the Hermitage, adjoining the Winter Palace, may be
seen one of the finest and largest collections of gems in the world.
It is composed of choice selections from some of the most celebrated
cabinets that have been formed in Europe during the past two centuries,
and comprises the better portions of those known as the collection of
the Duke of Orleans (Philippe Egalité), that of the famous Strozzi, and
that of the Beverly, which had been formed under the direction of the
learned antiquary Dutens. The cabinet is not only extremely valuable in
its art treasures, in the form of engraved gems and cameos, ancient,
mediæval, and modern, but it is a noble monument of the good taste and
liberality of the sovereigns of Russia. The description of these alone
would require a ponderous volume.
In another gallery in the same palace may be seen the plume of Prince
Potemkin, glittering with gems of the purest ray, presented to him by
the Sultan of Turkey; also the two magnificent bouquets of artificial
flowers composed of the finest colored diamonds, topazes, pearls,
sapphires, rubies, and other gems, which rival in their hues the most
beautiful of the productions of the vegetable kingdom; the identical
parrot which was carved from a single emerald, and given by King Pedro
II. of Portugal, to his bride, the Princess of Savoy; together with a
vast number of priceless objects of virtu of various ages, many of them
profusely decorated with interesting and valuable gems. The Hermitage,
like the Green Vaults at Dresden, is one of the jewel-boxes of the
civilized world.
In the museum of the School of Mines at St. Petersburg may be seen the
finest collection of the gems in their natural and rough condition
in the world, not even excepting the magnificent collections of the
British Museum, or that of the Jardin des Plantes in Paris. The
glittering treasures of Siberia are here displayed in lavish profusion.
Natural crystals of diamond, of chrysoberyl, of topaz, beryl, and
emerald attest, by their beautiful forms, the great mineral wealth of
that vast country. The crystals of emerald are enormous and exceed
in size all others in the world. The topazes are unsurpassed in
their beauty and variety of tints. The collection of beryls is truly
wonderful, and contains specimens of exquisite color and of great
value. They may be seen not only of green, blue, white, and yellow,
but even pink, which is an exceedingly rare hue for this mineral. The
cabinet of tourmalines is superb, and nobly illustrates the beauty and
variety of colors and forms of that wonderful mineral.
In the arsenal of the Alexander Palace may be seen a curious and
valuable collection of arms and armor of all ages, and among them
many ornaments beautifully worked in precious stones. Prominent among
them are the two sets of horse-gear which came as presents from the
Sultan of Turkey. The first is a souvenir of the conclusion of that
peace which was signed at Adrianople when the Cossacks had passed the
barriers of the Balkan Mountains and almost clutched the long-coveted
prize of Istamboul in their grasp. It is superb in its construction,
with its mountings and stirrups of gold, and its velvet trappings
studded with flashing diamonds. But the second saddle is even far
superior in its ornaments and its effects to the first. It is indeed a
glorious specimen of Persian handicraft and ornamentation, and worthy
of one of the heroes of the Arabian Nights. It fairly glitters with the
multitude of diamonds of which it is composed, and some of which are of
great size and wondrous lustre. It is indeed a barbaric mine of wealth.
This costly present was given to the Czar by the Sultan after the
fatal battle of Konieh, when the Porte supplicated Russia to send an
auxiliary force to defend a tottering throne against the attacks of a
rebellious vassal.
Many of the cathedrals, convents, and monasteries of Russia are
richly endowed with gems and jewels of great beauty and value. In the
Kazan Cathedral at St. Petersburg may be seen the miraculous image of
the Virgin brought from Kazan in 1579. It is covered with gold, and
incrusted with diamonds and other gems. The sacristy of the Monastery
of Solovetsk is one of the richest in the realm, and is filled with
jewels and gems which have been presented in times past by kings,
princes, and nobles.
In the Cathedral of the Archangel Michael, in Moscow, there are some
ancient reliquaries adorned with gems of remarkable beauty. The
diamonds, however, are surpassed by the magnificent emeralds.
In the sacristy of the Holy Synod in Moscow are preserved some
wonderful sacerdotal robes and ornaments. One of the sakkos of crimson
velvet is so heavily laden with diamonds, rubies, pearls, emeralds,
etc., that its weight amounts to fifty-four pounds. The great mitre
is also so studded with gems, such as the finest diamonds, rubies,
emeralds, pearls, and sapphires, that it weighs five and a half pounds.
The decoration of these sacred objects has been made by lavish hands
and from an abundance of the most costly materials.
The famous Convent of Troitza possesses rare and beautiful gems and
jewels among its gifts and reliquaries, which are well worthy of
examination by _dilettanti_. From a great variety of sources these
riches have accumulated. The shrine has been famous for many centuries
past; and czars, princes, boyars, and peasants have deposited their
offerings both in ostentation as well as with the hope of divine
dispensation.
Its treasury is indeed a colossal jewel-box, whose wealth must amount
to many millions in value, and which rivals, if it does not surpass
in richness, the famous shrine of Loretto in Italy. The variety of
articles decorated with gems exhibited here is marvellous. Art has made
use of the precious stones in her decorations with lavish hand. Some of
the frames in which are set sacred pictures are literally composed of
gems of the largest size and also costly in price. Even the robes of
the Madonnas are spangled with diamonds, rubies, sapphires, topazes,
and emeralds, forming the richest mosaics.
It is impossible, from the imperfect information we have received from
travellers concerning this wonderful museum of ancient and mediæval
art, to give an accurate account of its treasures; but we hope some of
the learned antiquaries of Western Europe may be induced to examine
them, and make known their history. Among the great numbers of engraved
gems, skilled search may reveal some of the most beautiful forms of
ancient art, and supply some of the missing links in glyptic history.
According to these vague accounts a volume might be written on the
description of the _armoires_, among which are comprised Bibles,
Gospels, liturgical books, bound with covers of silver gilt and
incrusted with precious stones, such as the onyx, sardonyx, agate,
chrysoprase, aqua-marinas, lapis lazuli, malachite, turquoise. The
clasps of these volumes are made of gold or silver, in which antique
cameos are set. Among the sacred utensils and relics are described
chalices of gold belted with rows of diamonds, and a great variety of
vessels richly ornamented; also crosses studded with beautiful emeralds
and rubies; sapphire rings; vases and chandeliers of silver; dalmatics
of brocade embroidered with flowers composed of gems, and with legends
in old Sclavonic, written in pearls; enamelled censers; triptychs
storied with countless figures. Besides these articles we have
enumerated, the museum contains a great number of others, including
images of saints and Madonnas richly decorated, masses of precious
metals, and heaps of precious stones in their natural state. What a
glorious field of study for the amateur and the historian is presented
here!
Among the paragons possessed by the Crown is the diamond known as
the Orloff, which derives its name from one of the counts of that
celebrated family, who purchased it for the Empress Catherine. It is
one of the finest gems in the world, and is the largest in Europe. It
rivals in beauty the famous Regent of the French regalia, which it
surpasses in size. The weight of this diamond is 194³⁄₄ karats, and it
is exactly of the form of the famous diamond described by Tavernier as
the Great Mogul. In shape it is ovoid, or rather, in gem nomenclature,
of a high-crowned rose-pattern. It is possible that this gem is the
long-lost Mogul. Were it not for the remarkable accuracy of the
distinguished French traveller, we should at once pronounce the Orloff
to be the missing Mogul. Hence the question arises, may not Tavernier
have made an error in his calculation of weight? It is certainly very
remarkable that two rare stones of such great weight, and such unusual
form, should possess so great and so many degrees of resemblance. And
it may be possible that the Mogul diamond is concealed in some of the
obscure fastnesses of Persia, and may appear again to the world, like
the crown of Chosroes, after a thousand years of concealment.
The Orloff disputes with the Regent the claim of being the finest
known gem in the universe. Both have their ardent admirers. The Regent
owes much of its fancied superiority to the regularity and perfection
of its form, which is that of a perfect brilliant, and may therefore
be regarded as the type of the style. The Orloff, likewise, may be
selected as the perfected model of the form known as the rose-cut.
Therefore, either gem may be considered as the perfection of the
brilliant or the rose-style of cutting. The brilliant is certainly
the most symmetrical of all the forms; but does it enable the gem to
exhibit to a full degree its powers of refraction? It may exhibit
the prismatic play of color in greater perfection; but does not the
rose-cut project brighter beams of light in a more extensive proportion
than the brilliant? Let the opticians decide.
The Orloff now adorns the Russian sceptre, being placed in the top,
just under the golden eagle.
Concerning the history of the Orloff there is considerable obscurity,
even in that which relates to the time and the manner in which it came
into possession of the Russians. At all events, there is no doubt but
it formed a part of the spoils of Delhi, and was brought to Persia,
along with the Koh-i-noor and other gems, by the conqueror, Nadir Shah.
Its subsequent history, however, is somewhat mixed up with other gems.
Dutens relates a romantic story of its having formed one of the eyes
of the great idol at Seringapatam, and having been stolen by a French
deserter, who managed to be installed as a priest and attached to the
temple. Pallas, however, gives a totally different version, which he
is said to have derived from the son of the Armenian who sold the gem
to the Russians. This Armenian purchased the diamond from one of the
Afghan generals, who formerly served with Nadir, and who received it as
his share of the booty. But so far as we can learn, the gem was brought
to Europe by the Earl of Effingham, who obtained it when Governor
General of India. It frequently changed owners before it fell into the
possession of the Greek merchant who took it to St. Petersburg and sold
it to Prince Orloff. The price said to have been paid for it is given
at $450,000, besides an annuity of $20,000 and a patent of nobility.
The Shah is a remarkably irregular prism of slab of diamond, partially
faceted by art. Tradition has associated with it adventures of a
startling and bloody character.
It was one of the gems possessed by Nadir Shah, and at the time of his
death was received as booty and secreted by one of the assassins. Long
after the event, an Afghan visited an Armenian by the name of Shafras,
who lived at Bassora with his two brothers, and offered him a large
diamond, an emerald, a ruby of fabulous size, a sapphire of wonderful
beauty, together with a hundred other stones of less value. The
stranger asked an insignificant price for these valuable gems, but the
Armenian was not at the time able to furnish the means of purchase, and
entreated the Afghan to return at another time with his treasures. But
suspicious of the good faith of the jeweller, the mountaineer departed
and disappeared. Several years afterward the Armenian met, by chance,
the Afghan at Bagdad, where the gems were sold to a Jew for 65,000
piastres. Shafras summoned his two brothers, and they assassinated
the stranger and the Jew, and flung their bodies into the Euphrates.
The brothers fled to the desert, and while attempting to divide their
spoils fell into dispute. In the depths of night the elder brother slew
his two companions in crime, and fled to Constantinople. From thence
he passed to Holland, and informed several of the Courts of Europe
of his treasures. Catherine is said to have invited him to Russia,
but would not accede to his terms of purchase. The Armenian, while at
St. Petersburg, was induced by some of the courtiers to lead a life
of dissipation, with the view of ultimately obtaining his treasures.
But, soon perceiving the intentions of his associates, he secretly
quitted the country, and was heard of no more for ten years, when by
accident it was discovered that he was living quietly at Astrakhan. New
overtures were at once made to him by the Russians, but he would not
consent to meet the negotiators, except at Smyrna. At this city the
purchase was finally made, and the Shah passed into the possession of
the Muscovites for an immense sum of money,--said to be $650,000.
Unfortunately for this romantic story, only the outlines of which we
have here given, it is now reported that Chosroes, the son of Abbas
Mirza, presented the gem to the Emperor of Russia. Another account
states that it was purchased of Chosroes by the Russian Government. At
all events, no matter what its true history may be since the death of
Nadir, it is a gem of the most perfect purity of color and freedom from
blemish. Upon one of its sides an inscription in the Persian language
has been engraved by some lapidary of extraordinary patience. Its
weight is ninety-five karats.
Many of the Russian nobles possess fine diamonds, which are not well
known to the public. We know that the Princess Yassopouff owns the fine
brilliant of forty karats called the Polar Star; but what has become of
the fine gem of ninety karats, which was cut for Russia by the French
lapidary Jarlet, at the close of the seventeenth century?
While we are speaking of lost gems, we will call the attention of
the reader to the large pear-shaped diamond of 157¹⁄₄ karats, which
Tavernier bought at Amadabad in India, and brought to Europe on his
return. This gem also has disappeared from history, and thus far evaded
all attempts for its recovery. The history of all the large and famous
diamonds brought to Europe would form a most interesting chapter, if
some tireless antiquary could be induced to take up the subject and
clear away the obscure wanderings of some of them.
The history of Potemkin, as related by a recent writer, reveals an
extravagance unequalled since the days of the Roman follies; and it
reads in these sober times more like romance than reality. The Prince,
when fully attired, wore a collar of the Order of Saint Alexander,
which was the gift of the Empress, and profusely ornamented with
diamonds of the value of 60,000 roubles. A laurel wreath, which he wore
on state occasions, also the gift of Catherine, was beautifully wrought
in gold, and set with superb emeralds and diamonds which were estimated
as worth 150,000 roubles.
The picture presented by this bold favorite in his sunniest days,
when, for instance, he assisted the Empress to alight from her
carriage, surpasses the display of Prince Esterhazy in later times.
Orloff was then dressed in a scarlet coat, over which hung a long cloak
of gold lace extravagantly ornamented with precious stones of enormous
value. In fact, his dress was completely covered with beautiful
gems; and his hat was so heavily laden with precious stones, that an
_aide-de-camp_ carried it for him when not in use.
Catherine was not only passionately fond of belles-lettres and the
arts, but she had a generous heart withal, as evinced by the numerous
gifts she bestowed upon her friends. The value of the gems and the
jewels she gave to her favorites exceeds almost the bounds of belief,
and far surpasses the munificence of any of the sovereigns of history.
The total estimate of the worth of these gifts amounts to the enormous
sum of 88,820,000 roubles. We will enumerate some of them. To Zoritz
she gave diamonds of the value of 200,000 roubles. To Plato Zouboff,
gems worth 100,000 roubles. To Zawadoffsky, to Lanskoi, to Zermoloff,
she presented caskets of diamonds of the value of 80,000 roubles each.
Wasulitschikoff and Kozzakoff each received presents of the same
precious stone, costing 60,000 and 50,000 roubles. The five brothers of
the Orloff family, and especially Potemkin, received gifts amounting in
value to many millions of roubles. To the famous house of Bariatinsky
Catherine gave many beautiful gems which are still preserved among the
treasures of the family. Among them is a splendid solitaire diamond
with a pendant, which was given to one of the Princes at his baptism.
Some of these jewels are of unique patterns and workmanship, and of
immense value. Among them is a necklace of solitaires, each stone
as large as the end of the thumb, with large pear-shaped pendants
attached. There is also a bracelet of rude Persian art, made of beaten
gold, and set with uncut crystals of diamonds, thus indicating a very
ancient origin, or singular caprice on the part of the maker.
There are still preserved among the princely families of Russia, as
well as in the Royal casket, many diamonds yet in their rough and
crystallized forms, or imperfectly cut in the Oriental and ancient
manner.
The remarkable soldier, Suvaroff, although careless of his dress and
his personal appearance, was passionately fond of jewels. And the
allied sovereigns of Europe, learning of his love of the beautiful,
sent him several superb gems, among which was a large diamond of great
beauty, from the Empress Catherine.
Like Charles _le Temeraire_, the terrible Cossack carried his gem
treasures with him during his campaigns; and he took infinite delight
in examining their charms, in times of danger and fatigue. They were of
various kinds and of great value; but the one he prized the most was
the gift of the Czarina. This splendid gem he always reserved for the
last look, after toying with the others; and seemed fascinated with the
strange gleams of the prismatic display, as the stone was viewed in the
dim and flickering light of the camp-fire.
What a picture is presented of the grim and fearless veteran, deriving
a gleam of comfort from his treasures during that lonely bivouac on the
summit of the high Alps, in Switzerland, on that fearful night in 1799,
when the victorious French, under Lecourbe, forced the Tatar general,
with his twenty-four thousand desperate soldiers, and with terrible
losses, over the desolate and rarely trodden pass of the Kenzig Culm!