The Turkish Chamber: Oriental Splendour in the Dresden Armoury

The Turckische Cammer once owned by the Electors of Saxony is one of the most important collections of its kind worldwide. Unlike the so-called ‘Turkish Booty’ of the late 17th century, the Electors amassed an exotic collection over several centuries that had little to do with the looting engaged in by Saxon troops on campaigns against the Ottoman Empire. Much more important for this collection, which goes back to the 16th century, were diplomatic presents, an active acquisitions policy and works executed on commission. With the re-opening of the Turckische Cammer after a lapse of nearly seventy years, Dresden has gained another world-class museum to complement the Gemaldegalerie Alte Meister and the Green Vault. In a survey of the collection, which is, of course, much larger, the catalogue showcases fifty choice pieces from the Ottoman period, featuring costumes, showy weapons and exquisite oriental equestrian accoutrements.