A PAIR OF EMBROIDERED FIGURAL PANELS

This pair of panels are cut from the same embroidered cloth is decorated throughout with a rich variety of imagery. Twin peacocks at the bottom of the field are given carnations rather than fanned tails, and between them rides a figure astride a long-horned goat. A central tulip motif sprouts further hyacinths and carnations. Notable are the four figures of varying sizes, attired in kaftans; three wear Turkish stocking-net caps and strike an attitude, perhaps of dance, and a fourth wears a turban. It is typical that one figure should be larger and wear a turban rather than a cap; this is the qadi, or local dignitary under Ottoman rule. For a similar Skyros or Sporades panel dated to circa 1700 and decorated with figures in Ottoman costume and headwear, see Taylor, 1998, p.86.