Osman II
This replica from the 17th century exhibited in your room is of one of the 87 talismanic shirts from the Collection of Sultan’s Clothing at Topkapi Palace and it is considered to have belonged to Osman II…
May this talisman have you live long; give you luck and a powerful reign…
A shirt a mother meticulously and anxiously had tailored for his young but excited, confident, idealist and impatient sultan son… Osman II who became sultan when he was only 14 years old was born on November 3, 1604 in Istanbul as a son to Ahmet I and Mahfiruz Haseki Sultan. His mother was overly particular about his education. Sultan Osman II was very well educated in both sciences and manners. He knew both eastern and western languages like Arabic, Persian, Latin, Greek and Italian well enough to do translation of classics in those languages. Having a very handsome face, Osman II was quite smart, venturous, brave and daring sultan. He was also very innovative.
His mother Mahfiruz Sultan was not interested in state affairs but all she wanted was to protect her child like any mother does. When her son succeeded to the throne unexpectedly at such an early age, she was very scared and anxious. Her little son was not experienced enough to reign the entire empire. There were also no competent statesmen to help him through the government. Yet more importantly, Osman II was so young and inexperienced to see that the Janissaries were deteriorating; idleness was on the rise, peace and tranquility were not in the picture. His bravery, daringness and unbridled passion were more of a danger for him in such situation. Those who wanted to take advantage of him would certainly act. Mahfiruz Hatun hid her worries only for herself; her pain would rise up to the sky as prayers and come back as tears dripping on silk sheets when she was alone at night. The only thing she could do was to have a talismanic shirt tailored. She summoned the Head Augur; she described exactly what she wanted. The mother emphasised that the shirt must be done carefully and the talisman must be powerful. The Head Augur started to calculate the propitious moment right away. The rapidly passing time was eating her heart out. The propitious moment was detected; the clothes were weaved and handed out to calligraphers. The rituals were done rapidly yet carefully.
The kaftan-like talismanic shirt with long sleeves is collarless, front slit and made of white cotton cloth. It has a thin cotton lining and grey taffeta borders. The ornaments are done according to the contouring of the shirt. The ornamenting starts with widening squares one within another from the shoulders down to the skirts. There is a large square pattern in which a diamond motive engraved on the back of the shirt. Below this square pattern is there a wide skirt bordering filled with gold framed medallions and small colourful flowers on cobalt blue base.
The talismanic shirt is essentially more interesting regarding the prayers and surahs engraved on. The shirt is adorned with prayers and surahs through and through which shows us the desire for the power of talisman to be of high efficiency. Written jeremiads from the heart of a mother for her son…
Unfortunately, Osman II never ever could find a competent Grand Vizier to help him realise his plans and in the end, he could not reign for a long time. Yet again, history witnessed that worries lying in the heart of a mother are
Never for no reason…
