The banquet for high-ranking government officials

 

23a

 

22b

Four separate tables were set up in four tents for the first official banquet of the festival. In (22b) we see Grand Vizier İbrahim Pasha eating alone at a private table in the upper part of image. Three guests are seated around the table in the tent in the foreground. According to Vehbi, this table was occupied by two people: İbrahim Pasha (the governor of Maraş) and Grand Vizier İbrahim Pasha’s son-in-law Tevkii Mustafa Pasha. Levni has included a third, who appears to be Mehmed Agha, the grand vizier’s other son-in-law and also his steward. The third table in the upper part of (23a) is occupied by the chief justices of Rumelia and Anatolia. The three figures seated around the fourth table are the first, second, and third chiefs of the Exchequer. In both images the diners are being served by food-tasters of the Privy Chamber, who are shown carrying covered pans. Eski Saray halberdiers stand in attendance ready to offer coffee, sherbet, rosewater, and incense.


Images index

Return to Surname-i Vehbi index

Return to Kanyak's Doghouse