The Procession of the Cradle – 10 x 8” mounted print
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An ornately decorated cradle is held aloft by two officials dressed in elegant silk robes in this evocative print. On the birth of an heir to the Sultan, the royal crib would be paraded through the palace in a ceremony called the besik alayi, or procession of the cradle. The original painting can be seen on display in the Constantinople to Istanbul: One City, Two Empires exhibition.
An unknown Greek artist was commissioned to create this watercolour in Istanbul in about 1809. British diplomat Stratford Canning travelled to Istanbul in 1808 as secretary to the ambassador, and took the opportunity to explore the Ottoman Empire, hiring a local artist to record the wonders he had seen in a large series of views and studies.
Printed in the UK and supplied with a sage green mount chosen to complement the artwork, this compact print is an ideal way to add character to a smaller space. Giclée printing captures fine detail and provides archival longevity, while the quality heavyweight paper holds rich, deep colours and gives a luxury, gallery-grade finish.
Besik alayi, or the ceremony of the Procession of the Cradle
Commissioned by Viscount Stratford de Redcliffe (1786–1880)
Watercolour on paper
Istanbul, Turkey, 1809
V&A: D.106-1895
© Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Dimensions
10 x 8 in (25.4 x 20.3 cm)
Composition
Giclée printed on Monte Carlo 300gsm paper
Colour
Green
Product code
173314
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Constantinople to Istanbul: One City, Two Empires
A major UK-first exhibition exploring 1,600 years of extraordinary art and design, offering a compelling new perspective on a city defined by artistic excellence across more than a millennium.
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