Jean Baptiste Tavernier Collection
Jean-Baptiste Tavernier was a renowned French gem merchant and traveler in the 17th century
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Jean-Baptiste Tavernier was a renowned French gem merchant and traveler in the 17th century. His adventures took him across Europe, Persia, and Turkey, as depicted in the detailed map of his travels from that time. Tavernier's expertise in gems led him to encounter remarkable treasures like the Orlov diamond, which once adorned the Imperial Sceptre of Russian Empress Catherine the Great. In addition to his business ventures, Tavernier had close encounters with influential figures such as Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. A portrait of this powerful ruler captures their meeting during Tavernier's journey through India. Tavernier himself is immortalized in various portraits throughout history. One particular depiction shows him dressed in Oriental attire, reflecting his fascination with Eastern cultures and fashion trends of that era. Diamonds were undoubtedly a significant part of Tavernier's life and work. The Great Mogul Diamond stands out among these precious stones due to its exceptional size and beauty, and is no wonder that even fashionable couples from the early 17th century desired diamond rings for their elegance and status symbol. The enigmatic figure of Jean-Baptiste Tavernier continues to captivate us centuries later through these historical records and artworks. His legacy lives on as an emblematic figure who explored distant lands, encountered extraordinary jewels, mingled with prominent individuals like Aurangzeb, all while leaving behind a lasting impact on gem trading and travel exploration.