The Kazasker, Judge

Kazasker is a shortened form of kadıasker, judge of the army. The office began in the 14th century with a single judge who rode with the sultan on campaign and settled disputes among the soldiers. As the empire spread across two continents, the post was split in two. One kazasker answered for Rumelia, the European provinces, and the other for Anatolia, the Asian ones. Between them they appointed the judges and law teachers of their half of the empire, and both sat on the imperial council with the grand vizier.

By Vanmour's time the title still spoke of the army, although the work had long since moved into the courts, and the Rijksmuseum notes that much of the kazaskers' power had passed to other officials. This judge wears the large turban and the fur-trimmed cloak by which the two of them could be recognised.