Доклады Международного конгресса ИИСАА. Т. 1

II. Middle East, Caucasus and Central Asia / Ближний Восток, Кавказ и Центральная Азия 292 Proceedings of the International Congress on Historiography and Source Studies of Asia and Africa.Vol. I. 2020 supposed to be gifted to Empress Anna Ioannovna (1730–1740) and members of royal family, including the Empress’ nieceAnna Leopoldovna and cousin Elizabeth Petrovna (1741–1761). The arrival of Iranian delegation, which was dispatched as early as in 1739 and crossed the Russian border only a year later, was full of quirky twists of fate. The sudden death of ambassador Sardār Khān was followed by the death of Empress Anna Ioannovna, to whom the Iranian mission was headed, and the much-delayed appointment of the new ambassador. When Elizabeth ascended to the throne having overthrown infant Emperor Ivan VI (IoannAntonovich) and his mother, RegentAnna Leopoldovna, the embassy was still in Russia. The ambassador with his retinue was invited to Moscow to take part in the coronation ceremonies. Finally, the delegation returned to Iran in late autumn 1742. Russian diplomats tried to persuade the Iranians to diminish the enormous mission staff and suggested transporting it by ships, all to no avail. The Iranians continued insisting on getting to the Russian capital by land. One of the counterarguments they Fig. 2. Russian popular print with the image of an elephant brought from Persia. Rovinskiy D. A. Russkie narodnye kartinki. [Russian popular prints]. Atlas. St Petersburg, 1881. Vol. II. [Part I: Pls.] 294–524. Pl. 356a The State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg. Inv. no. ERG-10239