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Decorations: Shah

Notwithstanding these jewelled riches of Turkey, however, they are surpassed by the splendour of the Shah of Persia's treasury, the contents of which have accumulated in successive periods.

Nadir Shah of Persia, in the first half of the eighteenth century, amassed enormous riches by the spoils of war. He is said to have had a tent made so magnificent and costly as to appear almost fabulous. The outside was covered with fine scarlet broadcloth, the lining was of violet-coloured satin, on which were representations of all the birds and beasts in the creation, with trees and flowers; the whole made of pearls, diamonds, rubies, emeralds, amethysts, and other precious stones; and the tent poles were decorated in like manner. On both sides of the peacock throne was a screen, on which were the figures of two angels in precious stones.

This splendid tent was displayed on all festivals in the public hall at Herat, during the remainder of Nadir Shah's reign.

Of a like character is the description of Antar's tent, from the Bedouin romance of that name, which, when spread out, occupied half the land of Shurebah, and there was an awning at the door of the pavilion, under which four thousand of the Absian horse could skirmlsh. It was embroidered with burnished gold, studded with precious stones and diamonds, interspersed with rubies and emeralds, set with rows of pearls.

It would be impossible to describe in these pages the splendour of the Persian treasury. One extraordinary object may be mentioned--a two-feet globe, covered with jewels, from the North Pole to the extremities of the tripod on which the gemmed sphere is placed. The story goes that his Majesty bought, or, more probably, accepted--at all events, was in possession of--a heap of jewels, for which he could find no immediate purpose. Nothing could add to the lustre of his crown of diamonds, which is surmounted by the largest ruby to be seen. He had the "Sea of Light," a diamond in size but little inferior to the British "Mountain of Light." He had coats embroidered with diamonds and emeralds, rubies, pearls, and garnets; he had jewelled swords and daggers without number; so, possibly, because he had his royal mind turned towards travel, he ordered the globe to be constructed, covered with gems; the overspreading sea to be of emeralds, and the kingdoms of the world to be distinguished by jewels of different colour. The Englishman notes with pride that England flashes in diamonds.