Habit of the Tartarian Prince in 1700

by Thomas Jefferys

This striking hand-colored engraving, published circa 1700-1710 by the renowned geographer and cartographer Thomas Jefferys, offers a rare window into Western perceptions of Central Asian royalty.

The print captures a Tartarian Prince in a stance of quiet authority, meticulously detailing the "habit" or traditional costume of the region. From the intricate draping of the silk robes to the distinctive structural headwear and the ornate quiver at his side, the work serves as both an artistic masterpiece and an early anthropological record.

Jefferys, who later became the Geographer to King George III, was famous for his precision. In this plate, the fine line-work emphasizes the textures of fur, embroidery, and leather, reflecting the Orientalist fascination that gripped European high society during the Enlightenment.