Cheval

Cheval — marelibri

Ottoman History: Hand Colored Photograph of the Sultan's Arabian Horse with Imperial Attendants Constantinople Nineteenth Century

1890réf. 143511890. Gülmez Frères hand-colored photograph of the Sultan's Arabian horse nineteenth century documents Ottoman court ceremonial culture through an imperial horse its elaborate tack and two uniformed attendants in Constantinople. The photographer's stamp identifies Gülmez Frères as "Photographes de S.M.I. le Sultan" recording the studio's connection to the Ottoman court. The photograph also places the group at the Pera Palace Hotel linking an image of imperial service and display with one of Constantinople's best-known late Ottoman hotels. Original nineteenth-century hand-colored photograph image size 7.6 x 9.7 inches. A white horse stands in profile wearing an embellished red and gold saddle and appointments. Its groom wears a corresponding red and gold uniform and holds the horse at its head; beside him stands an aide-de-camp in a green uniform with a sheathed sword. Behind the group a broad carpeted stone staircase decorated with Arabic motifs rises to the open doors of the Pera Palace Hotel. The hand coloring emphasizes the red gold and green of the uniforms and equestrian equipment against the pale horse and masonry. Photographer's stamp on verso reads: "Photographie Apollon. Gulmez Feres Photographes de S.M.I. le Sultan. Succursale vis-a-vis le Pera Palace Hotel. Constantinoples." The photograph preserves specific evidence of late Ottoman equestrian display court dress and the presentation of an imperial horse while the Gülmez Frères stamp identifies both the photographers' claimed court appointment and their branch opposite the Pera Palace Hotel. The combination of hand coloring elaborate saddle equipment uniformed groom and aide-de-camp and identifiable Constantinople setting gives unusually detailed visual documentation of the ceremonial presentation of a horse belonging to the Sultan. Sharp image with hand coloring remaining distinct. Overall very good condition. unknown