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Woman from Simia and a Woman of Pera (Istanbul)
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Woman from Simia and a Woman of Pera (Istanbul)
Woman from Symi and a Woman of Pera (Istanbul) Date: 1821
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Media ID 18072214
© Mary Evans / Grenville Collins Postcard Collection
1820s 1821 Constantinople Istanbul Pera Simia Veil Ottoman Simi Syme Symi
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This image, dated 1821, showcases two women from different worlds: a Woman from Symi (left) and a Woman of Pera (right), both hailing from the Ottoman Empire during the Turkish Empire's final years. The Woman from Symi, originally from the Greek island of Symi in the eastern Aegean Sea, wears a traditional, colorful, and intricately embroidered dress, reflecting the island's rich cultural heritage. Her headdress is adorned with a red veil, which is a common practice among Greek Orthodox women in the region. In stark contrast, the Woman of Pera, a resident of the European quarter of Istanbul (then known as Constantinople), dons a more Western-influenced outfit, featuring a high-waisted, fitted bodice, a full skirt, and a lace shawl draped over her shoulders. Her hair is styled in an elaborate updo, and she wears no veil, signifying her exposure to European fashion trends. This photograph offers a fascinating glimpse into the cultural diversity and complex interplay between the Eastern and Western influences that characterized the Ottoman Empire during the early 19th century. The Women from Symi and Pera serve as symbols of the unique blend of traditions and customs that existed within the empire's borders, as well as the gradual encroachment of European influences on Ottoman society.
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