Sir John Chardin

In the nave of Westminster Abbey is a memorial to Sir John [Jean] Chardin, court jeweller to Charles II. It consists of a framed tablet of coloured marbles, with palm branches and a globe marked with Chardin's travels, an hour-glass and books on a pyramid background. The sculptor was Henry Cheere and permission was given to erect it in 1744. The inscription reads:

SR JOHN CHARDIN

SOLI DEO GLORIA

RESURGAM

This can be translated: "Glory to God alone. I will rise again". Above the globe is his motto and at the top his coat of arms: "argent, a chevron sable between two roses in chief and a heathcock in base".

He was born in Paris, France, on 16 November 1643, a son of Daniel Chardin, merchant jeweller, and his wife Jeanne (Guiselin). Working as his father's apprentice he travelled to Persia and India. By 1680 he was a celebrity and wrote about his travels. He emigrated to England and was knighted by the king in 1681 and became a member of the Royal Society. By his wife Esther Peigne he had three surviving children, John, George and Elizabeth. Chardin helped to expand English trade in the east and was also a charter member of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel. He died on 25 December 1712 and is buried at Chiswick church in west London.

A photograph of the memorial can be purchased from Westminster Abbey Library.