Chardin Jean

Chardin Jean (1643-1713), French traveler, jeweler and dealer in precious stones. He was born in Paris, to a family of a wealthy jeweler. His father gave him a good education and trained him in the jewellery trade. However, young Chardin was fascinated by travel. In 1671 – 79 he traveled to the Orient and wrote a voluminous composition Travels to Persia and Other Countries of the Orient. Its first installment was published in 1686; the full version of the book was issued in 1711. Rather biggish section of Chardin’s travelogue was devoted to his trips around Georgia, where he traveled in 1672 - 73. He made trips to the Western and Eastern Georgia and described extensively the facts and events that he saw with his own eyes. He enriched his impressions with the references about Georgia’s past, which he compiled from the works of Greek, Roman and Persian historians as well as from the compositions of European travelers and missionaries. The book contains the sketch of the view of Tbilisi, presumably drawn by Chardin’s cotraveler – painter Grello. The said section of Travels includes the composition by Italian missionary G. Zampi, who was on mission in Georgia at that time. It appears that Zampi had personally handed his manuscript to Chardin. The original of Zampi’s composition is lost. Thereby, Chardin’s travelogue is the only source that has preserved Zampi’s work.

In 1861 Chardin settled in London. He was appointed a jeweler of Royal Court. King Charles II conferred a Knighthood on him. From that day on he was referred to as Sir John Chardin.

J. Chardin died in London. He is buried at the Westminster Abbey. His gravestone bears the inscription in Latin: “He made a name through travels”.