This is a very rare early 19th-century satirical print relating to Turkish history and that of the Ottoman Empire.
I have been unable to find another example of this - not even in prestigious collections. The image seems to borrow heavily on that of the famous Gillray caricature of Napoleon and Pitt Carving up a Large Plum Pudding of 1805.
This print looks at the question of the Russo-Ottoman Alliance and it also uses an image of a banquet table to depict France, Britain and Russia planning to carve up the old Ottoman Empire (in the form of the massive plump turkey). Britain guards a large plum pudding and sirloin ham sitting on the table to the right from the insatiable French appetite.
This print dates to about 1806 - and shows Napoleon to the left representing France - and a Jolly Jack Tar Representing Britain to the right, a Russian Cossack representing Tsar Alexander I is in the centre. The Ottoman Empire is represented by the large turkey in the centre. Britain warns France about getting too greedy about its territorial acquisitions and not to look at British interests.
The text above Bonaparte reads: Must have my first slice of Turkey. Give me the mouth of Cattaro. Above the English Sailor is the text "Boney, you are a little man it's true, but you have a most enormous maw [mouth], Devourd Dutch Cheese, Westphalia Hams, German Sausages, Italian Ragouts, and Neapolitan Macaroni & want another Mouth to Pick that Turkey ( & you won't say enough then) but before you touch this Sirloin and Pudding, you are Squinting at you - just shall just have a sop in the pan & a luncheon of Forced Meatballs and will make you squeamish About Either.
Napoleon's cutlass is inscribed: Jaffa and Abuskira. The Tsar's one is inscribed Warsaw and Ismail and the blue ribbon on Britain's hat reads Trafalgar and Nile.
It is an etching with its original hand colouring. It is sold as an original early 19th-century impression - and it is not a later reproduction. The rarity of this work is reflected in my asking price. It came from a small collection of prints relating to Greek and Ottoman History which belong to the historian William St Clair (1937 - 2021).
As mentioned I have been unable to locate another example of this print - so the rarity of it is reflected in my asking price.
Condition: Sold with new window mount and frame - all ready for you to hang on your wall. The print is in good condition with no tears, spotting or discolouration to the sheet - the hand colouring of the etching is original to the print. I have taken a number of images for you to assess the condition and details.
Dimensions: Frame is 38 x 48 cm. The image is 23 x 33 cm.
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