Regalia of Russian Tsars
Alexis Mikhailovich
Throne

The throne was made by Persian makers in 1659 and presented to the Tsar by merchant Zakharia Saradarov from the Armenian Trade Company in Persia. The precious donation was attached to the petition of tax-free trading in the Russian territory. The merchants got 4000 silver rubles and 19000 copper rubles for the throne.

The throne base is made of sandal wood. It is coated with golden and silver plates, adorned with fancy ornamentations, turquoise and diamonds. For the prevalence of diamonds (more than 800 in all) the throne was named “Diamond Throne”. On the back of the throne there is an embroidered inscription: “To the most powerful and invincible Muscovy Emperor Alexis doth reign felicitously upon the earth the throne made with sumptuous art would be a token of future eternal bliss in heaven. In the Year of Our Lord. 1659”