Between 1588 and 1629 AD, this silk velvet coat journeyed from the Middle East to Eastern Europe and ultimately to Scandinavia. Russian Tsar Alexis purchased it in Iran during the reign of Persian king Abbas the Great, brought it to Moscow, and gifted it to the Swedish Queen Christina. [1280×854]

It is now preserved at the Livrustkammaren in Stockholm.

**QC:** “Alexis, where are those servants going with those piles of fabrics?”

**TA:** “Pay them no mind. We went through the east wing of Our clothes closet and pulled everything that didn’t fit, or was so last-century.”

**QC:** “Mind if We take a look?”

**TA:** “Go ahead. We have no more use for any of it.”

**QC:** “Alexis, this robe of state? Gorgeous!”

**TA:** “Has a huge wine stain on the inside. Who knew ermine could be so fickle?”

**QC:** “These? Polar bear leggings!?!?”

**TA:** “We know. What ever were We thinking? We didn’t order them made.

“They were a gift from a bunch of nobles up north. Wore them once. They chafed.”

**QC:** “These bed curtains look almost new.”

**TA:** “They are.

“The colors clashed with the painted panels of Our regal bedchamber. It was easier to change the curtains than have the whole room redone to match them.

“Last paint job, it took the workers six months just to do the ceiling, and when they were done – baby penises everywhere.

“Made them come back and touch up all the cherubs. At the time We had to wonder, who in their right mind would want to see all that floating above them first thing in the morning?

“We didn’t want Our regal sleep wrecked for six months again, so the curtains had to go.”

**QC:** “Sensible decision.

**sees silk velvet coat**

“Oooh, this coat! The colors! The embroidery! Why are you tossing this?”

**TA:** “Got it on Our last vacation to Persia. Wore it day in ans day out. Got soooo many compliments.

“But… got home, and it just didn’t go with anything else.

“Wore it once and found out the fabric’s just too airy for this place.

“Tried having it lined with fur but was told the fur would just weigh it down too much and make it impossible to have cleaned.

“So, it’s been just taking up room since then.”

**QC:** “We have a gown that’s just begging to be accessorized. This would do the trick. We wouldn’t even need to find a pashmina to go with it. It would make quite the statement on its own.”

**TA:** “Take it with Our regal blessings. Wear it in good health.”

**QC:** “Thank you so much! We can’t wait ’til Abbas’ envoys see me in it. It’ll blow their minds!”