The motifs show costumes of the Ottoman court during the reign of Mahmoud II. Elbicei Atika was the name of a costume museum in Constantinople, originally located in the armoury of the Seraglio.
The Muslim soldiers are divided into two classes: the Spahis, or cavalry, and the Janissaries, or infantry.
Albanian soldier in fustanella during Ottoman Empire.
Ottoman Empire Costume of Albanian turk soldier. From the book: Stamboul, Recollections of Eastern Life by Amedeo Preziosi. Published by Lemercier Paris 1861.
Capidji Bachi. Officers of the Grand Signior.
An Inferior Officer of the Janissaries. Lower-ranking official of the Janissary corps.
The establishment of the Spahis is the most ancient in Turkey. This drawing was made from a Spahi, belonging to one of the Asiatic provinces.
One of their employments, among others, is to present every one who is introduced at court, or approaches the fool of the throne; and, on some particular occasions, this is done by the chief usher himself.
Janissaries Ottoman Empire. Turkish Elite Infantry.
Subaltern officer of the Janissary corps. Ottoman Empire.
