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Palace of Gold & Light:Treasures from the Topkapi Museum of Art, Ft. Lauderdale, FloridaBy Valerie Summers
An exquisitely crafted ebony, ivory and mother of pearl campaign throne of Sultan Suleyman I from the mid-16th century, was another of the highlights of the exhibit. The throne, a symbol of royal power and authority, is thought to have accompanied Sultan Suleyman on his many military campaigns in Asia and Europe.
The 15th century Topkapi Palace stands high atop a bluff overlooking the southern end of the Bosphorus River, with panoramic views of Europe and Asia. This walled complex housed exotic harems and royalty in addition to servants, craftsmen, teachers, courtiers and diplomats. The palace served not only as the residence of the Sultan and his family but as a seat of government, a site of dynastic ceremonies and diplomatic contacts with other countries, a store-house of Islamic holy relics and a repository for collections of art, costumes, luxury objects, books and symbols of rulership that today comprise the contents of the Republic of Turkey's most famous museum. The palace and its contents has remained intact throughout the centuries, having never been invaded. A short film on the Topkapi Palace, which is included at the museum, offers those who have not visited the original home of this exhibit a more comprehensive view of its history. When the sultan did move into a more modern facility, the Topkapi was transformed into a museum which continues to display the finest work of Ottoman artists and craftsmen. This traveling exhibit has brought the extraordinary beauty of the Ottoman Empire to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida where it will continue at the Museum of Art through February 28, 2001. For information:Museum of Art |
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Many familiar things found in our homes including sofas, caftans and pile carpets attest to the creative abilities of the Ottoman Turks. The artistic genius of the Ottoman Empire dominated vast areas of Europe, Asia, and Africa for six centuries. With one foot in Europe and another in Asia, the Ottomans created a vast array of decorative arts for use by the sultan, the ruling elite and for export. Having traveled to Istanbul a few years ago where I visited the Topkapi Palace, I was delighted to have the opportunity to view its treasures once again at Ft. Lauderdale, Florida's Museum of Art. 
The 1964 film Topkapi, a lighthearted caper, concerned the attempted theft of the most famous object in the royal collection, the bejeweled Topkapi dagger. This piece is featured among the more than 200 imperial jewels and treasures in the exhibit, Palace of Gold & Light: Treasures from the Topkapi, Istanbul. The museum's excellent presentation of the pieces, along with descriptive texts enabled me enjoy a leisurely study of each of the components of this exhibit. I recalled my visit to the palace, the crowds and crowding of the objects and found more of an appreciation for the collection in this spacious environment. The dagger remained in reality as awesome as in memory, and featured three emeralds, the size of golf balls, embellished with diamonds and set in gold. The dagger, crafted in 1746-47, was an intended gift for the Shah of Iran Nadir, who was assassinated before it could be presented and so it was returned to the palace.
The exhibition includes objects from the 15th to the 19th centuries in various media featuring jewel-encrusted ceremonial objects, intricately designed wool and silk carpets from imperial looms, finely crafted armor and weaponry, Chinese porcelains, Ottoman textiles and royal robes, musical instruments, illuminated religious and literary manuscripts and bejeweled domestic objects.
Some of the sultan's exceptional costumes and courtly ornaments including a 15th century fur-lined ceremonial robe of brocaded silk thought to have belonged to Sultan Beyazid II is featured. An early 17th century jeweled turban ornament sporting more of those golf ball size emeralds, and dripping in diamonds, having belonged to Sultan Ahmed I, was exquisitely displayed. The grandeur of these objects d'art is the result of the sultan's brilliant craftsmen: carpet makers, jewelers, calligraphers and decorative carvers. Because the Islamic religion discourages the depiction of figures, very few painters evolved from the region, but the works of art exhibited in this royal collection are brilliant. Even weapons were crafted pieces of art.