The National Jewelry Museum is one of the most attractive tourist destinations in Tehran, that preserves and preserves the exquisite treasures of royal jewelry under the title of National Treasury. The unique and valuable collection that exists today in the National Museum of Jewelry of Iran is a collection of history and art of the past ages of this land. The expensive jewelry on display in this museum dates back to the Safavid era; before that time, no action was taken to collect and protect jewelry and ornamental stones in Iran.
The collection of precious gems and jewels began in the Safavid period
Safavid sultans from the 90th century to 1148 AH, with the help of government experts at the time, began to collect precious gems and jewelry. Some of these valuable treasures were bought from the markets of India, the Ottoman Empire and European countries such as Italy and France and transferred to Isfahan (the capital of the then government).
With the arrival of Mahmud Afghan in Iran at the end of the reign of Shah Sultan Hussein Safavid, the government treasury was looted and dispersed by Afghan invaders. At the time of Shah Tahmasb II’s arrival in Isfahan, accompanied by Nader, some of these jewels fell into Nader’s possession and were prevented from leaving Iran. He also wrote rare letters to the Indian court to get back other jewels that had gone to India, but did not receive a favorable response.
In 1158 AH, after a rare expedition to India, part of the jewels and treasury property were handed over to him by Mohammad Shah and returned to Iran. Nader Shah Afshar gave some of this property and jewelry as a gift to his neighbors, divided a part among his troops and presented another part to the doorstep of Imam Reza (AS). After Nader’s assassination, his treasury was looted by one of the commanders, Ahmad Beyk Afghan Abdali, and some of these precious treasures, such as the famous “Mountain of Light” diamond, were taken out of Iran.
The collection of national treasures of Iran during the Qajar period expanded by collecting, confiscating and installing new jewelry. Kiani crown, rare throne, jewel sphere and peacock throne (sun throne) are among the treasures on that jewels are installed; Neishabour turquoise and Persian Gulf pearls were gradually added to this precious collection.
These royal jewels and exquisite gems were kept in Golestan Palace during the Qajar period and then in the basement of Marble Palace during the first Pahlavi period. In 1316, after the completion of the Bank Melli building, the royal jewels were transferred to the National Bank of Iran and were considered as the backbone of the national banknotes and currency.
The National Jewelry Museum was built in 1334 and opened with the establishment of the Central Bank of Iran in 1339 and was given to the bank’s treasury. Today, the national jewelry of Iran is protected by the Central Bank of the Islamic Republic of Iran as collateral for government debt to the bank. This exquisite and unique collection has exposed many jewels of the Safavid, Afshari, Qajar and Pahlavi dynasties to the public.
Darya Noor Diamond, Rare Jaqeh, Farah Pahlavi Crown, Kiani Crown, Jewel Butter, Peacock Throne (Sun Throne) and Rare Throne are just some of the most important jewels kept in this museum. With the completion of the construction of the new treasury of the Central Bank in the hills of Abbasabad, the National Jewelry Museum of Iran will be transferred to these lands.
Plan of the National Jewelry Museum
Jewelry treasures, precious stones and precious gems, in addition to being considered as the backbone of each country’s national wealth, also have a great visual appeal for the spectators. Therefore, displaying in a safe and beautiful environment is as important as protecting them.
With the completion of the construction project of the National Jewelry Museum, this place will be transferred from Ferdowsi Street to the lands of Abbasabad.
The National Treasury and Museum of the country is considered today as one of the most famous and important tourist attractions in Iran and one of the most attractive places in Tehran; The place, that is located in the basement of the Central Bank of Iran and is located in Abbasabad, will open its doors to visitors in an environment with a higher security factor and more attractive artistic architecture. In the new design of this two-story building, the form and volume of a polygon have been used to make a significant and noteworthy work. You can see the new final design and plan of the National Jewelry Museum which is under construction in the pictures below.
