New-York tribune., 1921-11-07
Tents of Sultans
Gorgeous Features
In Far East Sale
Rare Oriental Costumes.
Rugs and .Iewelry Also Fig
ure in Mckelvie CoIlec-
ton Now Open TO Public

Oriental art in it's richest and most
ornate manifestations in revealed in
the collection Of Far Eastern rarities
which was placed on exhibition yes
terday ar .fe Anderson galleries. Alais-
ter Mekeiyie, of London, has consigned
these objects, gathered during extended
res sa rch and travel in Turkey, Albania
and India. They are a rare and beauti-
full assemblage OF costumes, shawis,
rugs, hangings, vestments and jewelry
Of exceptional educational and romantic
interest, this being pronounced in the
two superb imperial tents of the Sultan
Aga Mahomet Shah and the Shah Nasr-
ed-din
This latter object is an important in
dication OF the regal spIendor OF the
East and reveals the gorgeous artistic
taste there employed in the art of en-
broidery and weaving. The tent. which
has been set up in the foyer of the gall
leries with characteristic interior em-
bellishments, is work OF the master
artist RIA Veil, bearing his name and
the date 1917 A. H. (1801'02) in an in
scription above the porch. 1t was made
during the reign of Faith Ali Shah and
is considered a remarkable example of
regal art, both in color and design. It
Is done in embroidery of gold and ap-
plique work on both exterior and in
terror walls. These form large room
and i smaller one, or porch. divided
with closing curtains. The whole is in
conventionalized floral pattern in rich
tones of blue, sage and gold on back
ground Of red and blue broadcloth.
There are two window panels OF cut
work embroidery, while the front end
of the tent has two large figures of
princes in applique, with those of prin-
cesses similarly worked on correspond
ing panels at the back.
Several antique Persian embroidery
hangings are Of unusual and elaborate
design. One of these is most interest
ing, having an embroidered central
portrait Of sultan, surrounded by
smaller nedallions, each with 4 por-
trait OF a sultan or noble. Illustrating
further this highly developed art in the
characterizing of historical and other
figures is the important gold and silver
embroidery ecclesiastical hanging por-
traying the Christ This object, how
ever, is from the Greek Of the seven
teenth century. bearing the date 1894.
1t IS vivid representation, the
body embroidered in relief with silver
thread, and over the head Il massive
golden halo. Medallion portraits Of
saints adorn the red velvet background.
which ia set off with frame inclosing
Greek inscriptions.
The collection is replete with ornate
costumes, heavily and brilliantly sewn
IN gold brocade patterns revealing the
trend for color and ornamentality in
the dress of the Turkish and Albanian
nobility. Many Of these are the coats
and garments of the type worn by
princes
Several bejeweled and ornamented
weapons, including gold-plated pa
rade sword of q sultan; fine collec-
tion OF Ispahan and other Persian pot
terry OF the sixteenth and seventeenth
centuries and rugs of the last century,
including two fine prayer rugs from
Constantinople, are shown.
The sale will be held next Friday and
Saturday afternoons.