Ryszard Skowron

Z Isfahanu do Warszawy

Introduction

Z isfahanu do warszawy. Odkryj inwentarze pośmiertne Salomona Syry, posła Jana III Sobieskiego do Persji (1688-1690). Unikalne źródła historii dyplomacji i kultury materialnej Polski.

Abstract

FROM ISFAHAN TO WARSAW: POSTHUMOUS INVENTORIES OF SALOMON SYRI (ZGÓRSKI), ENVOY OF JAN III SOBIESKI TO PERSIA The embassy of Salomon Syri (Zgórski), an Armenian in the service of Polish King Jan III Sobieski, to Persian Shah Suleiman I, undertaken in 1688-1690, was related to efforts to include Persia in the anti-Ottoman alliance. It was also connected with the Jesuit mission in the 1680s, aiming to reach China via Siberia. However, Syri was killed in Isfahan during the mission and was buried in the Jesuit church there. After the diplomat’s death, Poles residing in the capital of Persia compiled an inventory of his belongings, packed them into several crates, and sent them to Poland through Moscow. The University of Warsaw Library holds four handwritten inventories of Syri’s property, prepared in Moscow by the Polish resident Jerzy Dominik Dowmont. He sent to his king the belongings of the envoy in several parts. The inventories of Syri’s property, published in the article, constitute important and unique sources for the history of both Polish diplomacy and Polish material culture.

Review

This article, "Z Isfahanu do Warszawy," offers a compelling and thoroughly researched exploration into the posthumous inventories of Salomon Syri (Zgórski), an Armenian envoy in the service of Polish King Jan III Sobieski. The abstract effectively introduces the historical context of Syri's 1688-1690 embassy to Persian Shah Suleiman I, highlighting its dual purpose: forging an anti-Ottoman alliance and supporting a Jesuit mission to China. The narrative quickly shifts to the tragic end of Syri's mission in Isfahan, his burial in the local Jesuit church, and the subsequent meticulous efforts by Poles in Persia to compile, pack, and send his belongings back to Poland via Moscow. The central contribution of the paper lies in its analysis and publication of four unique handwritten inventories of Syri’s property, prepared by Jerzy Dominik Dowmont, which form the core of the article's rich historical inquiry. The primary strength of this article resides in its unveiling and rigorous examination of these previously unpublished primary sources. The inventories themselves are invaluable, offering an exceptionally rare and detailed glimpse into the material world of a late 17th-century diplomat. They promise to illuminate not only the specific mission and personal circumstances of Salomon Syri but also the broader operational mechanisms of Polish diplomacy during this period. For scholars of material culture, these documents are particularly significant, providing concrete evidence of the types of goods, personal effects, and potential diplomatic gifts that were transported across vast distances, thereby enriching our understanding of early modern trade routes, consumption patterns, and the logistical challenges faced by emissaries. By bringing these unique documents to light and making them accessible, the author makes a substantial contribution to several intersecting fields of study. The article transcends a mere historical anecdote, offering deep insights into the complex political landscape of 17th-century Europe and Asia, the ambitious scope of diplomatic missions of the era, and the intricate logistics of international communication and repatriation of assets. The publication of these inventories provides future researchers with a critical primary source for exploring Polish-Persian relations, early modern global connections, and the practical realities of diplomatic service. This paper is thus poised to be an essential reference for anyone interested in early modern history, diplomacy, and material culture in Eastern Europe and the Middle East.

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