The parade of the guildsmen: Gold and silver thread-makers, blacksmiths, sendal-weavers, silk brocade-weavers, saddlers, and goat hair cloth-weavers
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 140a  | 
 
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 139b  | 
In (139b) the sultan and grand vizier are shown watching this, the last of the guild parades depicted by Levni. The makers of gold and silver thread are marching in a line with an example of one of their shops, so lavishly decorated that it resembles a jewel box, on a litter being carried by two asses. In the foreground we see members of the Blacksmiths guild, whose stewards and leaders are on horseback. They are being followed by a guildsman balancing an earthenware jar on his head that supports a wooden tray with water-filled bottles which in turn support another tray on which a youth is shown seated. According to Vehbi, the youth also danced as the guildsman marched along. In the lower right corner of (140a) march the sendal-weavers,
sendal being a highly prized cloth woven of silk and cotton. The guildsman are followed by clowns and a mechanical three-headed dragon. The next contingent represents the weavers of a rich silk brocade called seraser. The youth in their ox-drawn cart is measuring out a bolt of cloth. Next come the saddlers, proceeded by a huge dummy with a tray balanced on its head. Guildsmen bear examples of their work as.gifts. Bringing up the rear are the weavers of mutaf, a cloth made from goat hair. According to Vehbi, the French and Russian ambassadors and their entourages were invited to attend the parade on this day and they were also entertained with a specially prepared banquet "of things that they could eat and drink" as the author puts it. In the upper right corner of this frame we see a tent or awning beneath which are seven figures dressed in European costume. Three of them are sitting and looking very uncomfortable in armchairs. They are being guarded by two janissaries standing behind them to their right. The two bearded figures standing behind the armchairs are probably court interpreters.Return to
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Kanyak's Doghouse