Ryszard Skowron

Dywany i dyplomacja

Introduction

Dywany i dyplomacja. Misja Sefera Muratowicza w Persji (1601) dla Zygmunta III: dyplomacja czy zakup dywanów? Nowa interpretacja historyczna, w tym listy szacha Abbasa I.

Abstract

CARPETS AND DIPLOMACY. MORE ABOUT THE MISSION OF SEFER MURATOWICZ IN PERSIA: GENESIS, GOALS AND LISTS OF ABBAS I AND SIGISMUND IIIIn 1601, Sefer Muratowicz, an Armenian merchant from Poland, travelled to Persia at the command of the Polish king Sigismund III. He wrote a concise account of this journey. Previous studies have defined purposes of his stay in Safavids’ country in various ways. Some researchers considered the journey to be a purely commercial expedition, during which he made a purchase of carpets for the king. According to others, it was a diplomatic mission. The article, beginning from the state of research on Muratowicz’s stay at the Persian court, re-discusses his account primarily from a Persian perspective and a standpoint of Polish diplomacy, in connection with the political situation at that time and the relations of Shah Abbas I with Europe and Moscow. This allowed a new interpretation on grounds of Muratowicz’s departure and purposes of his stay at the Persian court. Furthermore, the article includes two previously unknown letters of Abbas I and Sigismund III related to the mission of Muratowicz.

Review

The article "Dywany i dyplomacja" (Carpets and Diplomacy) offers a compelling re-examination of the 1601 mission of Sefer Muratowicz, an Armenian merchant operating under the auspices of Polish King Sigismund III, to Persia. The abstract clearly outlines the existing scholarly debate surrounding Muratowicz's journey, which has been variously interpreted as either a purely commercial venture focused on acquiring carpets for the king or a more substantial diplomatic engagement. By addressing this interpretative dichotomy directly from the outset, the paper positions itself as a critical intervention designed to provide a more nuanced understanding of this historically significant event. The author's intention to move beyond prior limited perspectives promises to shed new light on a complex episode of early modern East-West relations. The strength of this article, as previewed in the abstract, lies in its multi-faceted approach to re-evaluating Muratowicz's mission. By adopting a Persian perspective, considering contemporary Polish diplomacy, and contextualizing the journey within the broader political landscape of Shah Abbas I's relations with Europe and Moscow, the article promises a rich and comprehensive analysis. This methodological breadth allows for a fresh interpretation of both the genesis and the true objectives of Muratowicz's stay at the Safavid court. Crucially, the abstract highlights the inclusion of two previously unknown letters from Abbas I and Sigismund III directly related to the mission. The discovery and analysis of these primary sources represent a significant scholarly contribution, providing concrete evidence that is poised to fundamentally shift or significantly bolster arguments regarding the diplomatic nature of Muratowicz's expedition. Overall, this article appears to be a highly valuable contribution to the fields of early modern history, diplomatic studies, and Polish-Persian relations. Its meticulous re-examination of a pivotal historical episode, coupled with the introduction of new archival evidence, promises to invigorate scholarly discourse on Sefer Muratowicz and the intricate interplay between commerce and diplomacy in the early 17th century. The work is not merely a descriptive account but a critical re-interpretation that stands to offer a more robust and evidence-based understanding of the motivations behind Sigismund III's outreach to Persia. This article is therefore strongly recommended for publication, as it will undoubtedly be of great interest to specialists in these areas.

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