Wedding Procession on the Bosphorus

In Istanbul a bride was brought to her husband's house in a procession, and Vanmour sets this one along the shore of the Bosphorus. She rides on horseback, hidden under a canopy that four men carry on poles around her. Directly in front of her walks the imam, the religious leader who will consecrate the marriage.

The tall golden pyramid carried in the procession is made of gold thread worked into the shape of ears of corn. It stood for fertility, the children both families hoped the marriage would bring.