An Armenian Merchant
Watercolour
about 1843 (Painted)
about 1843 (Painted)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
According to the inscription on another version of this drawing, this represents an Armenian, who were often silversmiths and jewellers by trade. This man is evidentally a kasikci or dealer in spoons, judging by the contents of the glass cases beside him. Spoons had almost ritual significance in Turkey and they were often very elaborately and expensively worked in precious metals. The most extreme examples are the gem-encrusted and impractical objects which belonged to the Sultan, now on show in the Museum at Topkapi Sarayi.
Object details
Category | |
Object type | |
Title | An Armenian Merchant (generic title) |
Materials and techniques | Pencil and watercolour touched with white |
Brief description | An Armenian Merchant, about 1843. Aloysius Rosarius Amadeus Raymondus Andreas, known as Amadeo, 5th Count Preziosi |
Physical description | Watercolour of a man in Armenian costune |
Dimensions |
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Style | |
Marks and inscriptions | Signed Preziosi |
Object history | This drawing is part of a group of 34 bought by the Victoria and Albert Museum in 1907. [D.14-1907-D.47-1907]. |
Subjects depicted | |
Place depicted | |
Summary | According to the inscription on another version of this drawing, this represents an Armenian, who were often silversmiths and jewellers by trade. This man is evidentally a kasikci or dealer in spoons, judging by the contents of the glass cases beside him. Spoons had almost ritual significance in Turkey and they were often very elaborately and expensively worked in precious metals. The most extreme examples are the gem-encrusted and impractical objects which belonged to the Sultan, now on show in the Museum at Topkapi Sarayi. |
Bibliographic reference | Llewellyn, Briony and Newton, Charles. The People and Places of Constantinople : watercolours by Amadeo Count Preziosi 1816-1882. London, Victori & Albert Museum, 1985
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Collection | |
Accession number | D.14-1907 |
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Record created | June 30, 2009 |
Record URL |
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