Peyveste Hanımefendi was born on 10 May 1873 in Pitsunda, Georgia and was a member of the Abkhazian dynasty, Emkhaa. Born as Rabia Emukhaa, she was the youngest daughter of Prince Osman Bey Emkhaa and his wife Princess Hesna Hanım Çaabalurhva, an Abkhazian.
She had an elder brother Ahmed Bey Emukhmari and three elder sisters, Eda Hanım, Nurhayat Hanım and Mahşeref Hanım. She had green eyes, and long brunette hair for much of her life. In 1877, during the Russo-Turkish War (1877-1878), her family emigrated from the Caucasus to Istanbul, where she was delivered at the court of the Ottoman Sultan.
First, she was given to serve Nazikedâ Kadınefendi and was renamed Peyveste.
She was then given the position of the Head Treasurer of Abdul Hamid"s harem. However, Peyveste had not succeeded in binding the sultan to her, and already in 1896, Abdul Hamid II had moved to another young lady.
Among Abdul Hamid"s wife she was closest to Sazkar Hanımefendi. Together with Abdul Hamid, Peyveste had a son:
Şehzade Abdurrahim Hayri Efendi (Constantinople, Yıldız Palace, 14 August 1894 – Paris, 1 June 1952).
24 January 1893 - 11 April 1895:
Peyveste Başhanımefendi Hazretleri (Her Highness The First Lady Consort Peyveste) or Baş Gözde (The First Favour)
11 April 1895 - 17 June 1901:Devletlu Dördüncü İkbal Peyveste Hanımefendi Hazretleri (Her Highness The Fourth Honoured Lady Consort Peyveste)
17 June 1901 - 21 January 1909:Devletlu Üçüncü İkbal Peyveste Hanımefendi Hazretleri (Her Highness The Third Honoured Lady Consort Peyveste)
21 January 1909 - 27 April 1909:Devletlu İkinci İkbal Peyveste Hanımefendi Hazretleri (Her Highness The Second Honoured Lady Consort Peyveste).
