SUKIAS HOUSE AND ITS WALL PAINTINGS: REFLECTION OF ENGLISH-ARMENIAN LINKS IN THE SAFAVID PERIOD (1501-1736 AD) IN ISFAHAN, IRAN

Abstract

Sukias House is one of the Armenian noble houses located in New Julfa Neighbour hood in Isfahan city in Iran and belongs to the Safavid period (1501-1736 AD).

European itineraries who visited Isfahan in 16th and 17th centuries, existed literatures and conservation reports on the Armenian buildings in New Julfa particularly on Sukias house in conjunction with condition survey and in situ examination of the paintings were the main tools to study the Sukias House and its paintings.

This indicates a strong connection of the house to Armenian and English people at the time of the paintings and support idea of the involvement of the British ambassador and his Armenian translator in building of Sukias House. The existence of English and Armenian inscriptions indicates a strong connection between Armenian and English people in decorating of the house using wall painting. In addition, the depicting of Queen Elizabeth in a tableau on the external walls increases the likelihood of this house having belonged to the English ambassador in Isfahan during the Safavid period. Alternatively, it may be that English people working in Isfahan for the East India Company lived there.