No place, no date (but likely Ottoman Empire, late 18th/early 19th century). Folio. Near contemporary binding of full brown leather, scuffed and rubbed; marbled endpapers, front free endpaper lacking, rear free endpaper disbound but present. Contains 148 original watercolors by a follower of Fenerci Mehmed depicting various types of native Ottoman dress-as well as a few other cultures-in a wide array of styles and colors, representing many of the various peoples inhabiting the Ottoman Empire. Approximately 82 heightened with gold, a few with silver. Most subjects in images identified in bottom margin (some also on recto) in between one to four languages including Ottoman Turkish, Hebrew, and Armenian. Ex-library with book-plate on front paste-down. A fascinating collection. Of the 148 individual watercolors, six are of women, one is of a horse in full livery, and the rest are of men of various social stations. Some views are from the rear, some include musical instruments or interiors, many feature accoutrement relevant to the costume or individual pictured. .

Provenance: The Collection of Ambassador and Mrs. Alexander Weddell, Richmond, Virginia.
Deaccessioned by The Virginia House Museum to benefit future preservation, acquisitions, and care of collections.