Cem Sultan
This replica from 16th Century exhibited in your room is of one
of the 87 talismanic shirts from the Collection of Sultan’s Clothing at
Topkapi Palace belonged to the son of Mehmet II, Sultan Cem and therefore is
adorned with one of his poems…
May
this Talisman protect you… Give you power and
strength
The sun was on the first
zodiac sign; Aries. Aries is a sign featuring a structure as solid as mine, a
fiery nature and changeability. 19th degree of Aries was the sun’s
culmination point meaning its propitious moment. The shirt started to be
weaved on 30th of March 1477, on a Sunday night when the clock hit 03.57. The
shirt was finished on 29th of March 1480, on a Tuesday night at 12.36 and the
sun was again on Aries and its 19th degree.
It was weaved
according to the rituals, the white cambric…
And then, its
story started… Black, red and gold coloured prayers were calligraphed on the
powerful blue talismanic shirt. On the left shoulder side of the original
shirt, a wish read "May Sultan Cem’s nation last forever"
surrounded by other prayers wishing protection and victories during the wars
he fights. Right in the middle of the shirt the Seal of Solomon Talisman
shaped as two concentric triangles was placed with protection and luck
prayers in it. There were also wood, mine and carpet patterns on the lines
connecting the circles that create squares on the surface.
Sultan
Cem, son of Mehmed the Conqueror and his wife Cicek Hatun was handsomely
tall; he had blue eyes and long eyelashes, full lips slightly curling to the
left, hooked nose reminiscent of his father’s, small ears and chin, sparse
beard; he was agile and imperturbable. He was restrained and demure, he was a
fiery man of his word.
He was a son of Ottoman Empire who
made people wish that he was there, that he stayed. He was in love with art.
Interest in Renaissance art in Ottoman Empire during his time was felt while
it reduced after his death. He was curious to learn both western and eastern
sciences and a venturous warrior.
Unfortunate series of
event led him away from home for long years. Twelve years of longing became
unbearable for his aching heart…
It was dawn, the weather
was foggy and chilly… He listened to the sound of his heart, dipped his pen
in ink and started to write… His yearnings for his family, his home, his
wishes of being finally reunited with his love… He departed this life after a
few days of such sorrow…
He voiced his love and affection
for his love through a poem…
Oh my love, your
sweet lips will bring me to infinity,
The colour of your cheeks like
the sun will shine brightly…
Unfortunately
Sultan Cem’s tragic course of life never let him wear the talismanic shirt
that was made for him…
