Late 19th century, watercolor on ivory, after Konstantin Johannes Franz Cretius (German, 1814-1901), the Sultan depicted wearing a fez in military uniform with a jeweled order, presented behind glass in a wood frame with gilt oval bezel.

Miniature 1 3/4 x 1 1/2 in.; frame 5 3/8 x 3 7/8 in.

Private Collection, California and North Carolina

Bonhams, Art and Decor, March 22, 2015, Lot 5430.

Sultan Abdulmecid I was the 31st Sultan of the Ottoman Empire. Of Abdulmejid's achievements was the Tanzimat (reorganization) reforms which were prepared by his father and effectively started the modernization of the Ottoman Empire in 1839. Among these reforms it was provided that all classes of the sultan's subjects should have their lives and property protected; that taxes should be fairly imposed and justice impartially administered; and that all should have full religious liberty and equal civil rights.

Sultan Abdulmecid tried to forge alliances with the major powers of Western Europe, namely the United Kingdom and France, who fought alongside the Ottoman Empire in the Crimean War against Russia. During the Congress of Paris on March 30, 1856, the Ottoman Empire was officially included among the Concert of Europe.

During the Great Famine in Ireland of the 1840s, Ottoman Sultan Abdulmecid was remembered for his eagerness to aid in relief, donating money and three ships stocked with food and other aid to Ireland during this desperate time.

Good estate condition; frame has later secondary gilt oval bezel.