Habit of the Master of Ceremonies to the Grand Seignor in 1700

by Thomas Jefferys

This rare 1700 copperplate engraving, first produced by Thomas Jefferys, is a fascinating view of the grand sartorial procedures of the Ottoman Court. The print illustrates the Master of Ceremonies (perhaps the Münadi or even a Çavuş of high rank) of the Grand Seignor (Sultan).

The print is evidence of the "Turquerie" craze that took Europe by storm during the 18th century. The Master of Ceremonies was tasked with the enforcement of palace etiquette and ensured that audiences with the Grand Seignor were nothing short of a demonstration of power.