Surname-i Hümayun 1582: An imperial celebration.

New English Original bdg. HC. In publisher's special slip-case. Folio. (48 x 34 cm). Edition in English. 136 p., color ills. "The Surname-i Hümayun literally translates into Imperial Festival Book, and were albums that commemorated celebrations in the Ottoman Empire in pictorial and textual detail. Such celebrations included mainly imperial weddings and circumcision festivals. These albums were commissioned by the Ottoman Imperial family, usually by the Sultan presiding at the time. The Surname recounts the festivities in order of when the events took place, which includes in detail processions, grand entrance of the Sultan, feasts, entertainers, musicians, dancers, gift giving, firework displays, circumcision and wedding ceremonies. Although many of the Surnames were made to celebrate circumcisions of Ottoman Princes, the first Surname was commissioned in 1524 for a wedding ceremony. This Surname-I Hümayun was commissioned for a circumcision festival, as well it was to commemorate Sultan Murad III's son Prince Mehmed. This festival lasted fifty-two days and was probably one of the most elaborate and grandiose festival the Ottomans had ever held, and it was well documented. The organization of this Surname was done chronologically, each day documented in order with what occurred. The book was created by an author named 'Intizami' which is a pen-name, and the illustrations were done mainly by court artists.".