Dikran Ebeyan
| Industry | jewellery |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1867 |
| Headquarters | Addis Ababa, Abeshia |
Dikran Ebeyan is one of the oldest extant firms in Abeshia specializing in jewelry, sliver, and goldwork. Having been established in 1867 the firm continues to be family operated while serving as court jewelers and goldsmiths to the Emperor of Abeshia.
History
In 1866 Dikran Ebeyan and his brother Vartan, Aratian immigrants from Mesogeia arrived in Abeshia where they established a goldsmith shop a year later in the city of Gondar, being called Ebeyan and brothers. The firm's first major commission came in 1870 when the Ebeyan brothers were commissoned to design the coronation crown of Emperor Yohannes V. This commission established them as court jewelers to the Abeshian Imperial Court.
In 1882 Vartan sold his share of the business to his brother Dikran who promptly changed the firm's name to reflect his sole ownership. In 1887 the firm relocated to Addis Ababa and was again commissioned to design jewels for the next Emperor Menelik III and his Empress Taitu. Dikran Ebeyan designed crowns for the Emperor, the Empress as well as coronets, jeweled robes, umbrellas, and other pieces for the crown jewels.
The Firm was responsible for the creation of the crown jewels used for the coronations of both Empress Zauditu, and Haile Selassie I in 1914 and 1924 respectively. The crown jeweles used at the coronation of Emperor Haile Selassie haved been used at all subesquent coronations in Abeshia.