Dervishes Tekalasci and Kalacli with Elvani and Ed Edmi Monks, 1842

This original antique lithograph, hand colored, comes from the Galleria Universale di Tutti i Popoli del Mondo (Venice, Giuseppe Antonelli, 1842). The upper image shows two dervishes walking in open country. At left a bearded man in a tall white cap wears a long ocher robe over a gray underrobe with a white sash, prayer beads in his hand and yellow slippers on his feet; at right a man in a white turban, long crimson robe and red slippers walks away with his hand on his chest, beads hanging at his side. The lower image shows three monks in long loose robes and red slippers: at left a man in a blue robe and white cap gestures as he talks to an older bearded man in a green robe and white turban, who takes his hand; at right a man in a pale green robe and white cap holds a string of beads.

The top margin is lettered "Tom 115" (the plate number printed after "Tom" in place of "Tav"), "TURCHIA EUROPEA" and "Tom IV". The upper captions read "Dervis TeKalasci" (Tekalasci dervish) and "Dervis Kalacli" (Kalacli dervish). The lower captions read "Monaco Elvani" (Elvani monk) and "Monaco Ed Edmi" (Ed Edmi monk).

Dervishes are members of the Sufi religious brotherhoods of Islam, which were widespread in the Ottoman Empire, each order recognized by its cap, robe and rule. European writers of the period often called them monks. The prayer beads carried by several figures are used for the repetition of the names of God.

The clear colors and simple compositions make this a good plate for a collection of Ottoman or religious costume.

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