December, 17, 2008 - March, 15, 2009

The Moscow Kremlin Museums present a unique exposition of artworks by craftsmen of the Ottoman Empire, called, for political reasons, the Sublime Porte as the place - "porte" (meaning gate) - where Turkish Sultans received foreign ambassadors and guests. It is based on the Kremlin collection of the Turkish artworks executed in the period of active diplomatic and trade relations between Russia and the Ottoman Empire - from the XVIth to XVIIth centuries. These historical relics are distinguished by their artistic excellence, indicating the craftsmanship of the makers at the Sultan's court. Many of them were produced in workshops of the Topkapi Palace in Istanbul, which has been the official and primary residence of the Ottoman Sultans for many centuries.