Right - 18th Century large brass gorgets, called a “Ferahi”,  worn by the Sultan’s security personnel for his court [1].

-----------------------------------------------------------------

[1] From Metin Erüretin. (2001) Osmanli Madalyalari ve Nisanlari [Ottoman medals and orders: documented history]. DMC: 155.

Far Right - These figures show small plates mounted under the collar, one either side of the jacket buttons.

• It is argued these plates are not collar pates (discussed above), but are a type of law soldiers/security official's “Ferahi Madalysi” .

Right - General Vanson recorded seeing in the Crimean War [1]:

• Just below the collar are two brass plates attached to the jacket front;
• These items appear from time to time in a variety of sources, but their significance is unclear (they seem to occur most commonly on artillery uniforms).

• A dark blue jacket with red collar and cuffs (though the sketch appears to show dark blue cuffs edged with red tape).
• The 'rosettes' on the breast are described as being formed of red cord with red pendant tassels (these are discussed above as a type of rank insignia from the early 1840s).
• Shoulder straps are described as dark blue piped red with a button (the sketch figure has un-piped straps apparently sewn down at the collar end).
• Dark blue trousers with a broad red stripe, white belts.

Right - "Turkish Soldiers in Summer Uniform" (1853) painted by Count Amadeo Preziosi, in Constantinople. There are some important features to note about these uniforms:

(1) The infantry soldier has a pair of metal square plates fitted under his collar.

(2) Note as well: the cuff is closed with three large tunic buttons.

Right - Illustrated as a 'Turkish Foot Soldier (1854)', from sketches of character and costume in Constantinople, Ionian Islands &c. from the original drawings made on the spot by Capt'n. Forbes Mac Bean, 92nd Highlanders, lithographed by J. Sutcliffe.

• Note, in particular the brass plate with black script below the collar attached to the upper chest.

Below - An example is pictured in Metin Erüretin. (2001) Osmanli Madalyalari ve Nisanlari [Ottoman medals and orders: documented history]. DMC: 155.

• It is identified as possibly associated with soldiers who restored law and order during a rebellion in the 1730-54 period.

Right - An 1845 painting by Women of the Sultan's harem on their promenade [1],

• Chaperoned by Kislar Aga, head of the eunuchs of the Imperial Palace.
• These eunuch court attendants provided security for the Sultan's harem.

--------------------------------------

[1] Painted by Jean Brindesi, from the book 'Souvenirs de Constantinople (Paris, Lemercier, 1845).

Right - An illustration of the 1854 Interior Guard (Beylerbey Palace): Sultan's Halberdier Bodyguard uniform [1].

• The function of this guard unit, was that "form a route called the 'holy corridor' for the Sultan to visit the Mosque" [2].

-------------------------------------------------

[1] Jack Cassin-Scott, John Fabb, 1973 Ceremonial Uniforms of the Eorld, Hippocrene Books: Plate 73.

[2] Jack Cassin-Scott, John Fabb, 1973 Ceremonial Uniforms of the Eorld, Hippocrene Books: Plate 44 description.