Sultan Ahmed III (1673-1736) reigned over the Ottoman Empire from Topkapi Palace in Istanbul from 1703 to 1730. The sultan loved tulips and regularly organised lavish celebrations featuring the flower as a theme. The relatively tranquil years of his reign became known as the Tulip Era.
Here the sultan is wearing a turban decorated with an aigrette, a jewel consisting of gems, pearls and exotic feathers. His cloak, a dulimano, is trimmed with gold. Under this he is wearing a longer garment, a soutane, made of velvet, brocade or some other kind of silk.