Orientalism in early modern France : Eurasian trade, exoticism, and the Ancien Régime

Francis I's ties with the Ottoman Empire marked the birth of court-sponsored Orientalism in France. Under Louis XIV, French society was transformed by cross-cultural contacts with the Ottomans, India, Persia, China, Siam and the Americas. The consumption of silk, cotton cloth, spices, coffee, tea, china, gems, flowers and other luxury goods transformed daily life and gave rise to a new discourse about the 'Orient' which in turn shaped ideas about economy and politics, specifically absolutism and the monarchy. An original account of the ancient regime, this book highlights France's use of the exotic and analyzes French discourse about Islam and the 'Orient'. Francis I's Ties With The Ottoman Empire Marked The Birth Of Court-sponsored Orientalism In France. Under Louis Xiv, French Society Was Transformed By Cross-cultural Contacts With The Ottomans, India, Persia, China, Siam And The Americas. The Consumption Of Silk, Cotton Cloth, Spices, Coffee, Tea, China, Gems, Flowers And Other Luxury Goods Transformed Daily Life And Gave Rise To A New Discourse About The 'orient' Which In Turn Shaped Ideas About Science, Economy And Politics, And Against Absolutist Monarchy.--back Cover. The First Orientalist, Guillaume Postel -- The Ambassadors -- France In The World -- Orientalism As Science : The Production Of Knowledge Under Louis Xiv -- The Turks And The 'other' Within : The Huguenots -- Coffee And Orientalism In France -- A Barbarous Taste : The Transmission Of Coffee Drinking -- Domesticating The Exotic : Imports And Imitation -- The Politics Of Pleasure : French Imitations Of Oriental Sartorial Splendor And The Royal Carrousels -- Orientalism, Despotism And Luxury. Ina Baghdiantz Mccabe. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 299-398) And Index. Contents 4 Acknowledgments 6 Introduction 8 PART I: ONE NATION, ONE WORLD UNDER FRENCH RULE 20 1. The First Orientalist, Guillaume Postel 22 2. The Ambassadors 44 3. France in the World 76 4. Orientalism As Science: The Production of Knowledge under Louis XIV 108 5. The Turks and the 'Other' Within: The Huguenots 144 PART II: CONSUMING THE EXOTIC 168 6. Coffee and Orientalism in France 170 7. A "Barbarous Taste": The Transmission of Coffee Drinking 190 8. Domesticating the Exotic: Imports and Imitation 212 9. The Politics of Pleasure: French Imitations of Oriental Sartorial Splendor and the Royal Carrousels 238 10. Orientalism, Despotism, and Luxury 264 Epilogue 298 Notes 306 Primary Sources 368 Selected Secondary Sources 388 Index 406 A 406 B 406 C 407 D 408 E 408 F 409 G 409 H 410 I 410 J 411 K 411 L 411 M 412 N 412 O 413 P 413 Q 414 R 414 S 414 T 415 U 416 V 416 W 416 X 416 Y 416 Z 416 Francis I's ties with the Ottoman Empire marked the birth of court-sponsored Orientalism in France. Under Louis XIV, French society was transformed by cross-cultural contacts with the Ottomans, India, Persia, China, Siam and the Americas. The consumption of silk, cotton cloth, spices, coffee, tea, china, gems, flowers and other luxury goods transformed daily life and gave rise to a new discourse about the 'Orient' which in turn shaped ideas about science, economy and politics, and against absolutist monarchy. An original account of the ancient regime, this book highlights France's use of the exotic and analyzes French discourse about Islam and the 'Orient'.