Suleiman the Magnificent
This replica from the 16th 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 Suleiman the
Magnificent according to the prayers, motives and meanings of the talisman on
the shirt and therefore was adorned with one of his
poems…
May this talisman make your power
and virtue forever, protect you at all times; bring you
luck…
It is a white cotton collarless
shirt with short sleeves… There is a deep front slit and star patterns are
dominant on the both front and back of the shirt. Considering the intensity
of star and sky motives of the adornment, it is obvious that the shirt is
related to the star system. The calculation of the propitious moment and luck
wishes for the owner are also the signs of the effect of astrology all over
the shirt. Geometrical patterns reflect the sense of infinity and both the
inside and around of the stars and geometrical patterns are heavily
ornamented.
Maybe because of the power of its owner or
because of the value of arts at the time, the shirt was meticulously
engraved… Although there is not one dominant colour on the shirt, the use of
colour blue at the ends of the stars and on the borders of the shirt is
mirroring the power of magic as well as aesthetic concern; the certain belief
in the correlation of the colours and magic was not uncommon then. This shirt
elaborately tailored for Suleiman I is one of the most selective examples of
the 16th century.
The shirt was made with wishes of
infinite strength and power at the mightiest time of Suleiman the Magnificent
during his enthronement; when his armies conquering the east and the west,
his bravery and justice magnified his glory.
He was the
10th Sultan of Ottoman Empire… He was called Suleiman the Magnificent in the
West and Suleiman the Lawgiver in the East… His reign lasted for forty six
years. He earned the love and respect of people of not only his country but
also others’.
He was so appreciated that Venice Ambassador
Bartolomeo Contarini stated as follows which later the history proved right: "He
is twenty six years old, tall yet graceful. He has a long neck, slim face and
a hooked nose; A shadow like moustache and sparse beard. He has a pretty face
yet his skin is rather pale. I’ve heard he is a smart emperor and everyone
believes his reign will be opportune." …
Being
infamous for his artist personality and elegant tastes as well as his
victories, he was the hero of many unknown love stories and enshrined in many
hearts, even though their legendary love and marriage with Hurrem Sultan was
what everybody was speaking of.
