Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 10

Antique Print of Mameluke of Egypt, the Military Costume of Turkey, 1818

About the Item

This print is from 'The Military Costume of Turkey. Illustrated by A Series of Engravings. From Drawings made on the Spot. Dedicated by Permission to His Excellency the Minister of the Ottoman Porte to his Britannic Majesty.' London, Published by Thomas M'Lean, Haymarket, (1818). Folio. One of 29 fine handcoloured aquatint plates . Very light offsetting from plate. The original accompanying text of this print is as follows: 'The Mamelukes who till very lately formed the military force of Egypt, were said not to exceed twelve thousand men, and were slaves imported from Circassia and Mingrelia. They were carefully instructed in every exercise of strength and agility, and usually repayed the kindness of their masters, the Beys, with the warmest gratitude and most valiant services. The Mamelukes being trained from their infancy to military exercises, displayed in them uncommon skill. The javelin aimed with precision, was never known but to strike the mark. "The well-tempered blade of Damascus," says Sonnini, "is by them wielded with astonishing dexterity, and in their hands proves a most dreadful weapon." He often observed them try these weapons in the following manner :—A large cushion stuffed with feathers or materials equally soft and flexible, was placed about the height of a man, in such a manner, that the slightest touch would cause it to fall, which they would divide with a single stroke of the sabre, whilst passing it on horseback at full speed. Such astonishing expertness joined to most excellent horsemanship, would, were they acquainted with European tactics, render them invincible; but formidable, as they individually appeared, their prowess became of little effect when opposed to the collective weight of a charge in squadron. Their horses possessed, in an eminent degree, the qualities most useful to man, inexhaustible strength, prodigious speed and inconceivable temperance, to which may be added the most perfect symmetry of form. The dress constantly worn by the inferior Mamelukes, was a pair of large crimson drawers of thick Venetian cloth attached to slippers of red leather, and a greenish cap of a peculiar form, fancifully decorated with a turban. Their usual arms were a pair of pistols, a dagger, and a sabre; but when engaged in battle, they were furnished with a brace of horse pistols and a battle axe. They also wore an open helmet and a suit of armour, consisting of interwoven links of steel, under their dress.'
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 14.97 in (38 cm)Width: 10.63 in (27 cm)Depth: 0 in (0.01 mm)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1818
  • Condition:
    Original/contemporary hand coloring. General age-related toning, some foxing. Minor wear and soiling, blank verso. Please study image carefully.
  • Seller Location:
    Langweer, NL
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: BG-13087-81stDibs: LU3054325984332

More From This Seller

View All
Antique Print Mameluke of Constantinople, The Military Costume of Turkey, 1818
Located in Langweer, NL
This print is from 'The Military Costume of Turkey. Illustrated by A Series of Engravings. From Drawings made on the Spot. Dedicated by Permission to His Excellency the Minister of t...
Category

Antique 1810s Prints

Materials

Paper

Antique Print Mameluke of Grand Seignior, the Military Costume of Turkey, 1818
Located in Langweer, NL
This print is from 'The Military Costume of Turkey. Illustrated by A Series of Engravings. From Drawings made on the Spot. Dedicated by Permission to His Excellency the Minister of t...
Category

Antique 1810s Prints

Materials

Paper

Antique Print of an Mameluke Officer, the Military Costume of Turkey , 1818
Located in Langweer, NL
This print is from 'The Military Costume of Turkey. Illustrated by A Series of Engravings. From Drawings made on the Spot. Dedicated by Permission to His Excellency the Minister of t...
Category

Antique 1810s Prints

Materials

Paper

Antique Print of Mameluke of Grand Vizier, the Military Costume of Turkey, 1818
Located in Langweer, NL
This print is from 'The Military Costume of Turkey. Illustrated by A Series of Engravings. From Drawings made on the Spot. Dedicated by Permission to His Excellency the Minister of the Ottoman Porte to his Britannic Majesty.' London, Published by Thomas M...
Category

Antique 18th Century Prints

Materials

Paper

Antique Print of Cavalry, the Military Costume of Turkey 1818
Located in Langweer, NL
This print is from 'The Military Costume of Turkey. Illustrated by A Series of Engravings. From Drawings made on the Spot. Dedicated by Permission to His Excellency the Minister of the Ottoman Porte to his Britannic Majesty.' London, Published by Thomas M'Lean, Haymarket, (1818). Folio. One of 29 fine handcoloured aquatint plates . Very light offsetting from plate. The original accompanying text of this print is as follows: 'The Turkish light...
Category

Antique 1810s Prints

Materials

Paper

Antique Print Soldier of Turkish Artillery, The Military Costume of Turkey, 1818
Located in Langweer, NL
This print is from 'The Military Costume of Turkey. Illustrated by A Series of Engravings. From Drawings made on the Spot. Dedicated by Permission to His Excellency the Minister of the Ottoman Porte to his Britannic Majesty.' London, Published by Thomas M...
Category

Antique 1810s Prints

Materials

Paper

You May Also Like

Set of 8 Large Original Antique Prints of Gentlemen in Military Costume. C.1890
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful set of military gentlemen in full dress Chromolithographs on card After the artwork by R.Simkin Published by George Berridge & Co.C.1890 Unframed. Free shipping
Category

Antique 1890s English Prints

Materials

Paper

Set of 8 Large Original Antique Prints of Gentlemen in Military Costume. 1900
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful set of military gentlemen in full dress Chromolithographs Published C.1900 Unframed. Free shipping
Category

Antique Early 1900s English Edwardian Prints

Materials

Paper

Original Antique Print of The Sphinx of Giza, Egypt. C.1810
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful image of The Sphinx of Giza Fine copper-plate engraving Published C.1810 Unframed. Free shipping
Category

Antique Early 1800s English Egyptian Prints

Materials

Paper

Original Antique Print of Alexandria, Egypt, circa 1850
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful image of Alexandria Fine steel engraving after W.H Bartlett Published circa 1850 Unframed. Free shipping
Category

Antique 1850s English Moorish Prints

Materials

Paper

Original Antique Print of Cairo, Egypt. Dated 1809
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful image of Cairo Fine copper-plate engraving Published by Sherwood & Co. Dated 1809 Unframed. Free shipping
Category

Antique Early 1800s English Moorish Prints

Materials

Paper

Original Antique Print of The Flight Into Egypt After Claude Lorrain . C.1850
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image after Claude Lorrain Fine steel engraving Published circa 1850 Unframed. Free shipping
Category

Antique 1850s English Renaissance Prints

Materials

Paper

Recently Viewed

View All