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A rare Ottoman Harness Bridle, Turkey, 17th century
Description
- leather metal
Condition
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
Harness bridles of this type are a wonderful display of th🌺e intricate and detailed ornaments carried by horses in the Ottoman army. A number of similar examples were reportedly part of the booty taken by the Holy League after their victory over the Ottoman forces of Kara Mustafa at the Battle of Vienna in 1683. Led by King John III Sobieski of Poland, the Austrian, German and Polish armies ended the city's two-month siege, marking the turning point of the Ottoman-Habsburg wars and initiating the retreat of🥂 Kara Mustafa's army from Europe.
An insight into the extensive riches left behind by the Ottomans is provided by Alicia Tindal Palmer in her memoirs of John Sobieski. Palmer underlines that "The treasures which had been abandoned by the Ottomans were found to be immense and were duly apportioned according to the several claims of the victors. (...) So valuable was the share allotted to the king of Poland, that he was induced with his accustomed pleasantry to write to the queen that the grand vizier [Kara Mustafa] had left him his residuary legatee" (Alicia T. Palmer, Authentic Memoirs of the Life of John Sobieski, King of Poland, London, 1815, p.225).
Two comparable Ottoman bridles from the late 17th century are now at the Badisches Landesmuseum in Karlsruhe (see David Alexander, Furusiyya, vol. II, Riyadh, 1996, p.90, nos.76-7).