A Landmark Treaty and Its Tokens: The Swedish Alliance of 1731
A prime example is the alliance with Sweden, formalized by the Treaty of Peace and Commerce in 1731. To mark this pivotal agreement—which granted Swedish ships safe passage in the Mediterranean in exchange for annual financial tribute and naval supplies—Dey Hajji Baba Abdi Pasha sent a remarkable collection of gifts to King Frederick I.
The offerings underscored Algeria's military prowess and exotic prestige. They included finely crafted weapons, symbols of strength and artistry. Most extraordinarily, the Dey sent a live lion. Upon the lion's death, the King ordered its preservation. However, the unfamiliar Swedish taxidermist, relying only on illustrations, produced a uniquely stylized specimen. This lion, a curious symbol of cross-cultural encounter, remains on display at Gripsholm Castle in Mariefred.
Beyond symbols of power, the diplomatic package showcased sublime Algerian textile artistry. For the King, there was a magnificent caftan of luminous red silk, a color of royalty. Adorned with large floral motifs and meticulously embroidered with gold thread around the neck and fastenings, its wide sleeves spoke of opulence. It was accompanied by a silver crown and an embroidered leather belt.
For Queen Ulrika Eleonora, the gifts emphasized luxury and refinement: a hand-woven velvet pillow cover and a perfume flask sheathed in gold-embroidered velvet, demonstrating the diversity and sophistication of Algerian craftsmanship.
An Imperial Wardrobe: Algerian Fashion for Empress Sisi of Austria
The allure of Algerian luxury textiles also captivated one of Europe's most famous sovereigns, Empress Elisabeth "Sisi" of Austria. An icon of beauty and melancholy, she received several cherished Algerian garments. These included an exquisite lavender-colored silk gown made in Constantine around 1880 and an elegant beige caftan crafted in Tlemсан.
Most notably, Empress Sisi was a documented admirer of the iconic Algerian burnous. In 1863, she was gifted one, handmade in the oasis city of Touggourt. This elegant cloak, a masterpiece of traditional North African attire, found a place in the wardrobe of a Habsburg empress, illustrating how Algerian artistry dressed the most elite figures of European courts.
More Than Objects, Symbols of Sovereignty
The gifts from the Algerian Deys were far more than beautiful objects. They were deliberate diplomatic statements. The weapons affirmed military might; the exotic lion represented the Regency's far-reaching connections; and the sumptuous textiles—the caftans, burnouses, and velvet accessories—served as undeniable proof of a rich, sophisticated, and autonomous culture with masterful artisanship. Today, preserved in Stockholm and other European collections, these treasures continue to tell the story of a time when the Dey of Algiers engaged with European monarchs not as a subordinate, but as a formidable sovereign and an equal in the complex game of international diplomacy.