WHERE THE SHAH SITS.

Otaki Mail, Volume XXVIII, 2 June 1920, Page 4

WHERE THE SHAH SITS.

ON A SEAT OF MARBLE, WITH STEPS OF PURE GOLD. The Shah’s throne itself is the most valuable one in the whole world, and its enormous dimersions and exquisite decorations would inspire a multimillionaire with awe. It is made of pure, white marble, and is no less than eighteen feet, by ton feet wide. The actual seat is mounted on a large platform of the same material, and is upheld by fourteen spotless ivory pillars, carved in the shape of men and women; whilo the whole is covered with pictures worked In the purest gold-leaf. Ascending the platform is a staircase of solid gold, and in front of tho monarch’s seat is magnificent silver fountain which continually sprays a stream of very exquisite scent. This extremely valuable but extraordinary throne, however, is not now the official seat of Persian kings, for, not many years ago, the then ruling fshah commanded that a less elaborate throne should be used on occasions of state. It is still used, however, at rare ceremonies when ancient Persian rites are being observed. On these occasions tho Shah wears the worldfamous Persian crown. This is really a beautiful tiara of three elevations, and it has been in the possession of the Shahs since time immemorial. It is entirely composed of diamonds, pearls, rubies anl emeralds, ail thickly set and distributed so as to form a mixture of the most beautiful colours in the brilliant light reflected from the gems. Several priceless black feathers are intermixed with aigrettes in this imperial diadem, whose betiding points are Tipped with pear-shaped pearls of an immense sizeThe lining of this beautiful crown is of gold-woven cloth, and it is interesting to know that, worn with it. iretwo strings of pearls, the longest in th* world.