A Slave, a Veiled European and Ladies in Spring and Summer Dress, 1842

An original antique lithograph, hand colored, from the Galleria Universale di Tutti i Popoli del Mondo (Venice, Giuseppe Antonelli, 1842). The upper image shows two women on open ground. At left a woman in a white turban with a gold band, a long lavender coat with a train, a patterned gold robe and white trousers stands with her hands folded. At right a woman seen from behind is wrapped in a white veil and a long green cloak with a white edged collar. The lower image shows two richly dressed women standing side by side, their hands meeting, each in a tall gold ornamented headdress and heavy gold necklaces and earrings, wearing long fur lined robes. The woman at left wears a blue gray coat over a white gown patterned in gold with a brooch at the waist; the woman at right wears a green coat over a magenta gown with long chains and a pendant.

The lettering reads "Tom: IV" at upper left, "TURCHIA EUROPEA" in the center and "Tav. 120" at upper right. The upper captions read "Schiava" (Slave Woman) and "Europea velata" (Veiled European Woman). The lower caption reads "Signora vestita da primavera e d' estate" (Lady dressed for spring and for summer).

Turchia Europea, European Turkey, was the name then given to the Ottoman Empire's lands in southeastern Europe. Fur lined robes and tall jeweled headdresses were the marks of wealthy Ottoman women's dress.

The jewel tones and gold details make this an elegant plate for a dressing room or a collection of costume prints.

This is an original antique print, not a modern reproduction. This item is sold unframed.