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Articles

• Samanian, Kouros

Sukias House is one of the Armenian noble houses located in New Julfa Neighbourhood 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.

• History and Archaeology
• Arts

• Archaeology and art

Safavid period (1501-1736 AD), Sukias House, New Julfa, European itineraries, British-Armenian link, wall paintings, Iran-Isfahan

Corresponding author: samanian_k@yahoo.com, The author acknowledges Timothy Greenwood of St. Andrews University, UK, for his valuable help on reading and translation of Armenian inscriptions.

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