Silk Velvet
early 17th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The Ottomans used luxurious silk textiles for furnishings and for men’s and women’s clothing. The most prestigious were velvet and complex silk weaves called kemha and seraser. These often incorporated thread wrapped with silver or silver gilt.
The main centre for silk-weaving was Bursa in north-west Anatolia in Turkey. The industry was established there in the 15th century, largely to compete with Italian imports. The two most popular designs were the curved lattice, and rows of stylised flowers or stars. Originally introduced to Turkey from Italy, they gradually evolved into the dramatic, large-scale patterns associated with the Ottoman court. In this velvet the basic design, with large motifs in staggered rows, is derived from Italian models, but the stylised carnations are unmistakably Ottoman.
The main centre for silk-weaving was Bursa in north-west Anatolia in Turkey. The industry was established there in the 15th century, largely to compete with Italian imports. The two most popular designs were the curved lattice, and rows of stylised flowers or stars. Originally introduced to Turkey from Italy, they gradually evolved into the dramatic, large-scale patterns associated with the Ottoman court. In this velvet the basic design, with large motifs in staggered rows, is derived from Italian models, but the stylised carnations are unmistakably Ottoman.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Silk velvet with metal-wrapped thread |
| Brief description | Silk velvet with large carnation-motifs, Turkey (probably Bursa), 1600-50. |
| Physical description | Silk velvet with metal thread. The design is a formal pattern of highly stylised carnations set in staggered rows. The carnations are executed in cream on a deep red ground. |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Marks and inscriptions |
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| Gallery label |
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| Object history | This textile was the inspiration for an Osborne and Little wallpaper called Wilde Carnation, available in 2006. |
| Summary | The Ottomans used luxurious silk textiles for furnishings and for men’s and women’s clothing. The most prestigious were velvet and complex silk weaves called kemha and seraser. These often incorporated thread wrapped with silver or silver gilt. The main centre for silk-weaving was Bursa in north-west Anatolia in Turkey. The industry was established there in the 15th century, largely to compete with Italian imports. The two most popular designs were the curved lattice, and rows of stylised flowers or stars. Originally introduced to Turkey from Italy, they gradually evolved into the dramatic, large-scale patterns associated with the Ottoman court. In this velvet the basic design, with large motifs in staggered rows, is derived from Italian models, but the stylised carnations are unmistakably Ottoman. |
| Bibliographic reference | Tim Stanley (ed.), with Mariam Rosser-Owen and Stephen Vernoit, Palace and Mosque: Islamic Art from the Middle East, London, V&A Publications, 2004
p.125 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 96-1878 |
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| Record created | February 23, 2004 |
| Record URL |
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