Habit of the Greek Sultaness in 1749

by Thomas Jefferys

Enter the world of the Levant during the middle of the 18th century via the detailed eyes of Thomas Jefferys. The “Greek Sultaness” is a description of a lady of great prestige or a consort of royalty among the Ottoman Turks. She wears a long, intricately embellished kaftan tied around her with a decorative sash, highlighting the fine craftsmanship of clothing during that time. Her headgear includes an ornate turban with a veil, symbolizing her prestige and the cultural integration between the Greek and Turkish aesthetic traditions. However, the work of Thomas Jefferys is not merely about fashion but also documents the Levantine Habit in the context of the West’s fascination with the exotic culture of the East during the Enlightenment era.