Ivan Lazarev - the richest philanthropist, thanks to whom Armenians appeared in Russia, and the Empress got the famous Orlov diamond

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

Over time, some historical figures remain in the memory of generations, while others - go into the shadows. Perhaps this happened to Ivan Lazarev, an outstanding statesman and philanthropist, who was also called the court jeweler of Catherine II. Ivan (Hovhannes) Lazarev, a representative of the famous Armenian family at that time, had a great influence on the eastern policy of Russia, promoted the settlement of thousands of Armenians on the Russian land, and it was thanks to him that the Empress got the famous Orlov diamond.

From Persia to Moscow

The Lazaryans (this family originally bore such a surname) moved to Russia from Persia, where they were highly respected - they were major traders, financial advisers to Nadir Shah, and often carried out his diplomatic assignments. Aghazar Lazaryan's family moved to the Russian land due to the death of the Shah, after which armed conflicts and persecution of Christians began in Persia.

Here in Russia, Aghazar Lazaryan quickly recovered his capital, lost as a result of a long and difficult move. Even Empress Elizabeth II liked the products manufactured at the Armenian weaving factories. Having finally settled in Moscow, Lazar Nazarovich Lazaryan (this is how his name now sounded) contributed to the improvement of the Armenian quarters in the city. His compatriots began to gather in Pervopristolnaya.

The sons of Lazarus grew up and helped him in commercial matters. The eldest, Hovhannes, whom his father sent to study in St. Petersburg, was destined to become the most famous representative of this family.

Successful friendship

In addition to his studies, the young man continued to do business. He succeeded in the silk trade, began to invest in the jewelry business. His great knowledge of precious stones soon attracted the attention of Empress Catherine's court jeweler Jeremy Pozier, who invited Hovhannes to become his companion. So the young man got into high society. He quickly won the trust and respect of noble persons (in particular, because he generously lent money to the top officials of the state) and soon became a friend of Count Grigory Orlov, the famous favorite of Catherine.

After Pozier returned to Europe and Catherine lost her court jeweler, Orlov advised her to pay attention to Ivan Lazarev (Hovhannes Lazaryan). She took a chance and gave him an important "jewelry assignment" for the manufacture of orders and the purchase of precious rarities. Lazarev coped with this task perfectly, Ekaterina was satisfied and made him her confidant, as well as the leading financier of the Russian Empire and her personal adviser in jewelry matters.

Diamond "Orlov" from Lazarev

A very famous and no less mysterious story about the appearance of the world-famous Orlov diamond at Catherine's is directly connected with Ivan Lazarev. According to one of the versions, Orlov decided to present this jewel to the empress, feeling that Potemkin was aiming (and not unsuccessfully) in his place as a favorite. According to another, Catherine herself secretly instructed Orlov to get this diamond for her and even gave money for it.

The stone itself (the size of a walnut) has an ancient history. Once it belonged to Nadir Shah, and he, in turn, brought him from India. After the murder of the shah, one of the confidants took the diamond on the sly and then, in the same secrecy, sold it to the shah's wealthy courtier, the uncle of Ivan Lazarev. The new owner of the jewelry went to live in Holland, and gave the stone to his nephew Hovhannes, but on condition that he would keep it in one of the banks in Amsterdam.

By the way, according to the Russian geochemist, mineralogy specialist Alexander Fersman, Nadir Shah Afshar took possession of the stone in 1739, when he defeated the Mughal Empire and took their treasures. Among these jewels were two huge diamonds - this one and another. The stone that later came to Catherine was called the "Sea of Light" in Persia, and its "brother" was called the "Mountain of Light". The second stone was subsequently captured by the British and adorned the crown of the Queen of England. There is also a legend that both stones were originally the eyes of a statue of Brahma (Brahma) in an Indian temple, but then they were stolen.

Being on behalf of the Empress in Amsterdam for international financial affairs, Lazarev took his stone from the safe and ordered a unique cut to the Dutch jewelers, because the empress had to be presented with the jewel properly. They did not let them down - they polished the multifaceted stone using the complex and very effective "rose" technique.

Having bought the jewel from Lazarev, Orlov presented it to Catherine for her name day. He handed her a whole bunch of diamonds, in the center of which was the same "rose". The famous stone at the court was christened "Lazarevskoe" and "Amsterdam", but later the role of the court Armenian was forgotten, and a more spectacular name - "Orlov" was assigned to the diamond.

But Catherine herself did not forget about the service of her jeweler and appreciated the dedication and efforts of Lazarev at their true worth. She granted him a title of nobility and promised that she would fulfill any of his requests. It was necessary to express your wish right there, at the audience. Millionaire Lazarev, who at that time, in principle, did not need anything, decided to ask not for himself, but for his people. “Allow me, Mother Lady, to have us, Armenians, churches of our confession in both capitals”. - he asked and reasonably explained that this would facilitate the influx of Armenians into Russia and would only benefit the state. Catherine did not refuse and immediately instructed the court architect Chicherin to help Lazarev with the choice of the site and project for the Armenian church. Now this beautiful building can be seen on Nevsky Prospekt.

In his advanced years, Lazarev was an adviser to the commander of the Russian army, Grigory Potemkin, on political issues. And after retiring, he gave all his strength to philanthropy, was a famous benefactor. After the death of the millionaire, his fortune went to the opening of a school for Armenian children from poor families - that was his will.

Other Lazarevs

The brother of Ivan Lazarev, Ekim, opened a school for Russian and Armenian boys in Moscow in 1815. He and his brother had been hatching this idea for a long time, and after the death of Hovhannes, he brought it to life. Subsequently, the educational institution was transformed into the famous Lazarev Institute of Oriental Languages. It became one of the largest educational institutions in Moscow and after the revolution became a part of the Institute of Oriental Studies.

The Lazarev family in the male line was interrupted in 1871, when Ivan Lazarev's nephew, Khristofor Yekimovich, a prominent industrialist and statesman, privy councilor, died. The noble surname, according to a special decree, passed to his son-in-law, Prince Semyon Davidovich Abamelek. His son, Prince Semyon Semyonovich Abamelek-Lazarev, a millionaire, a royal courtier, became famous as a scientist who wrote many scientific works on mining and economics.

While participating in the archaeological excavations of Palmyra in the 1880s, he discovered a marble slab from 137 BC.with an inscription in Greek and Aramaic. It turned out to be a customs tariff and helped scholars decipher the ancient Aramaic language. Subsequently, the slab adorned the Hermitage collection.

It is believed that with the death of the prince in 1916, this famous family finally ended. The Lazarevs' mansion on Nevsky Prospect was plundered by sailors during the revolution. Unfortunately, not only family values have disappeared, but also many archival documents of this ancient family.

More details about the most famous Jewels of Catherine the Great can be read in a separate article.