The Digital Ark: Early Modern Collections of Curiosities in England and Scotland, 1580-1700

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Dey of Algiers ( - )

References in Documents:
Bargrave's catalogue: Rara, Antiqua, et Numismata Bargraviana (Canterbury Cathedral Lit MS E 16a)

(60). The picture in little of Shaban Agaà il Grand d' Algeers, or the King of Argeers, to whom I delivered his Maties (Charles II.) credential letter, and with whom I had chiefly to do in points of difficulty, though I bought slave by slave from each particular Turkish patron, as one buyeth horses in Smithfield. A poor painter, an Italian slave, stood privately to draw me this picture at several times when I had audience of Shaban Agaà. It is ill work, but the clothes and mode is like him, as he (and as all the country doeth,) sat cross-legged on a Turkey carpet on a bench, I sitting at the turning of the bench by him, with my hat on, in my clerical habit; I finding him mostly very courteous. But in a 500lb business, that he would have had me pay for slaves that had made their escape, we were both very hot, and had like to have broken the peace, but at lenght length my reasons prevailed. But at the end of all, when all the slaves were redeemed and sent on board his Maties man-of-war that attended us, it was a thousand to one but that the peace between us had binn broken, and I and my fellow commissioner, Dr. Selleck, had bin made slaves. It was but a greine in a pair of golden scales, whether aye or no—they having that night brought in an Englishman as a prize; but by God’s blessing, and much difficulty, I played my part so well with threatening, that we got off. But poor consul Browne paid for it; for we were no sooner gone from their coasts but they broke the peace, and took all the English as formerly.

Bargrave's catalogue: Rara, Antiqua, et Numismata Bargraviana (Canterbury Cathedral Lit MS E 16a) [*] On the back of the drawing (which is on parchment), is the following inscription: "Shaban Aga il Grand d’ ALGEERS. The King of Argeers, to whom I delivered his Maties letters credential, when in 1662 I went his Maties commissioner for the redemption of the English captives there with hierarchical and cathedral money, with which I redeemed and brought home with me all, viz. 162 slaves. John Bargrave, Gent., of Kent. Canon of Christ Church, Canterbury. An Italian slave, a painter, drew me this rude piece at Argeers, very like as to face and habit. The copies of which in large I gave, one to his Matie Charles the Second, who hanged it in his private closet; another I gave to my patron, Archbishop Juxon; a third to Archbishop Sheldon; and a fourth I kept for myself, in memorandum of that Christian and noble imploy, 1662.”
Gentle Traveller (Curatorial catalogue) (d) Portrait of Dey of Algiers, painted for Bargrave by an anonymous Italian slave-painter while they were negotiating, B60.
Thoresby, Musaeum Thoresbyanum (1713) The Scabbard consists of two Pieces of Wood, covered with blew Cloth, fenced with red Leather, which on the Fore-side is cut into Branches, and laid upon various Colours. This was presented by the Dey of Algiers to Capt. Hen. Lumley, when Admiral Russel, with the English Fleet, lay before that Place, and was given me by his Brother Mr. Geo. Lumley of Yorke.