Roof of tent

From the beginning of his reign, August the Strong was interested in acquiring oriental treasures. Ottoman motifs were at the focal point of numerous festivities. When seeking appropriate equipment for these festivities, the Elector was able to draw on the holdings of the Turkish Chamber that had been assembled by his forbears. His personal involvement in the war against the Turks, on the other hand, brought him little success either militarily or in the way of booty. Therefore, diplomatic gifts and specially commissioned purchases were all the more important for expanding the holdings of the Turkish Chamber. This tent was brought to Dresden from Warsaw in 1729 in preparation of the Zeithain Encampment. The tent's interior features coloured appliqués in the form of pillars, vases, scrolling vines and flowers set against a red ground. Among the various flowering plants are carnations and tulips emanating both from the ground and from the vases. The vases themselves have gilt leather appliqués surrounded by black silk, enhancing still further the sumptuous magnificence of this tent roof.