An Ottoman garden party, France, 19th century

oil and gilt on wood, framed 

In good overall condition, few light craquelure throughout due to age and the nature of the medium.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Depicting a banquet held for a Safavid Shah and his wife in an Ottoman pavilion, possibly in the Topkapi Palace, the present work follows the tradition of paintings commissioned by foreign ambassadors following their visits to the Sublime court. A similar painting depicting an Ottoman garden party was commissioned by the French ambassador Monsieur Girardin's wife in 1687 and is in the collection of Bibliothèque Nationale, Paris (see Efsane İstanbul: Bizantion’dan İstanbul’a - Bir Başkentin 8000 Yılı, exhibition catalogue, Istanbul, 2010, p.358).