A Turk in his chall, or shawl. Ottoman man in traditional dress.

Turk, shawl, Ottoman, empire, costumes,
A TURK IN HIS CHALL, OR SHAWL.

A Turk in his chall, or shawl. Ottoman man in traditional costume.

Historical Ottoman Empire officials and ethnic groups.

THIS is the dress of a Turk, whenever he ventures abroad on foot: but this, among the higher ranks, is never done in the streets of Constantinople. The clocks are generally ornamented with rich and valuable furs, and the châlls, or shawls, are also very richly worked. The male dress of the Turks is regulated by sumptuary laws, and is distinctive of the different classes, but the females are permitted to wear any sort of ornament they choose.

The Turks of any considerable rank in life consider it as a degradation to be seen walking; and they constantly go about the city on horseback, accompanied by a numerous train of servants on foot. Some very pompous and rich individuals have been known to have above an hundred in their train. These are always as richly dressed. and as numerous as possible at any of their feasts, particularly that of the Beyram.

Source: The costume of Turkey. Illustrated by a series of engravings; with descriptions in english. By Octavian Dalvimart. Printed by Howlett and Brimmer. Published in London, 1802.

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