Iranian Crown Jewels The Imperial Jewels of Iran

Modern Iran has a grand legacy of empire and monarchy reaching back several millenia. The contents of its royal treasuries have waxed and waned, according to the times. Little remains of the great treasuries of the Achaemenid or of the Sasanid dynasties, which were carried off by one conquerer or another. The current collection starts with the Safavid dynasty, and was increased substantially by Nader Shah who sacked Delhi. However, the greatest contributions to the collection were made during the Qajar dynasty, particularly by Fathali Shah and Nasseridin Shah. The latest additions were made by Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi. He was overthrown in 1979 by a popular revolution, ending 2,500 years of dynastic rule.

The Imperial Jewels are on display at the Central Bank. Call for tour hours.
Bank Markazi Iran (Central Bank of Iran), Ave Ferdowsi, Tehran (tel: 311-0100/9; fax: 311-7916).
The following items are only a small sample of the entire collection.

  • 1- Jewel-studded globe

    		•
  • 2- The Pahlavi Crown

  • 3- Darya-e Noor diamond

  • 4- Nadiri Aigrette

  • 5- Kiani Crown

  • 6- Emerald and Diamond Tiara

    		•
  • 7- The Royal Sword

  • 8- The Noor-ol-Ain Tiara

  • 9- Farah's tiara

  • 10- The Kiani Aigrette

    		•
  • 11- The Emerald Belt

  • 12- An Aigrette

  • 13- The Empress's Crown

  • 14- Emerald & Diamond Necklace

  • 15- Hat decoration

  • 16- The Sword of Fath-Ali Shah Qajar

  • 17- The Naderi Throne

  • 18- The Peacock Throne

  • 19- Royal Mace

  • 20- Jewelled Sphere

  • 21- Jewelled Dagger

  • 22- Pearl Brooches

  • 23- Loose Spinels

  • 24- Bracelets

  • 25- Loose Diamonds

  • 26- Ruby Dagger

  • 27- Jewelled Flacon

  • 28- Dish Cover

  • 29- The "Iranian Yellows"

  • 30- Diamond & Platinum Necklace

  • 31- Loose Indian Diamonds

  • 32- Pearl Chest

  • 33- Emerald Display Case

  • 34- Candlestick holder

  • 35- Flat Diamonds

  • 36- Sapphire & Diamond Brooch

  • 37- Nader Shah's Sword

  • 38- Ruby & Turquoise Waterpipe

  • 39- Turquoise Swords and Epaulets

  • 40- Turquoise-studded Golden Basin

  • 41- Pearl display case

  • 42- Nader Shah's Sheild

  • 43- Saddle Horn

  • 44- Ruby Rings

  • 45- Emerald Beads and Necklace

  • 46- Rings and loose stones of emerald

  • 47- Emerald Brooch and Necklace

  • 48- Coffe cup holders

  • 49- Diamond & Ruby Aigrette

  • 50- Water Decanter and Basin

  • 51- Emerald Pillbox, Pocket Watch, Buckle and Seals

  • 52- Enamel Armband

  • 53- Jewelled Armband

    • The material on this site is obtained from Dr. Victor E. Meen's book, The Crown Jewels of Iran, translated by Mehrdad Nabili, and published by the Central Bank of Iran on the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of the founding of the Pahlevi dynasty.

    SOME RELATED LINKS:

    A Survey of Persian Art by Arthur Upham Pope.
    A Rainbow of Gems: all about gemstones.
    The Safavid Dynasty
    The Qajar Dynasty
    Travels in Persia: 1637-1677 by Sir John Chardin