TRAY
Silver and chiselled silver gilt, 1862
TRAY
Silver and chiselled silver gilt, 1862
Part of a solid silver set. Gifted to Noubar Pacha Noubarian in 1862 by the Egyptian government. The centre is chiselled with Nubar Pasha’s monograms under the moon and stars.
Known as Nubar Pasha, he was an important statesman in Egypt. Born in Smyrna, Turkey in 1825, died in Cairo in 1899.
After studying in Paris (1844–1849) he returned to Egypt, where he had spent his childhood. He was very active in politics and drafted several legal codes.
He was the Minister of Foreign Affairs and then Prime Minister three times. He actively participated in the negotiations for the Suez Canal project, built under the management of Ferdinand de Lesseps and inaugurated in 1869 by Empress Eugenie. He used his authority and wealth to serve all his compatriots in the Ottoman Empire.
He helped the Armenian community in Egypt, accepted refugees, financed newspapers and educational institutions, and represented Armenia at the Congress of Berlin in 1878.
Frédéric Fringhian