In search of diplomatic gifts - on a group of 18th century Polish porcelain in the Topkapi Palace collection

Abstract

Relations between the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and the Ottoman Empire were quite close. Starting in the 15th century, with some mutual treaties, the relations between two countries often took on peaceful lines, despite the wars and conflicts intervening in between. It is accepted that the first Polish envoy was sent to establish diplomatic relations between the two countries during the reign of Mehmed I. (Ҫelebi Mehmed). And others followed. From the end of the 18th century until its dissolution, around 150 envoys visited the Ottoman Empire from Poland. In the 18th century, the Ottoman Empire started to send delegations of envoys to Poland. This is the manner in which the political, commercial and cultural dimension of such relations have been determined.