Author
Unknown
Publication Date
1590
Publication Place
Bursa (city) (made) -
Subject
Tiger Stripes
Type
Other
Language
Undetermined
Digital
Yes
Manuscript
No
Physical Dimensions
Length: 71cm, Width: 78.5cm, Incl. backboard length: 84cm, Incl. backboard width: 83cm
Library
Victoria and Albert Museum
Library Asset ID
753-1884
Record ID
753-1884
Library Location
Middle East Section
Date
1590
Notes
Kaftans like this one were worn by Ottoman princes who died when they were children. They were preserved in imperial tombs where, in accordance with Ottoman custom, they were placed over the graves of the deceased. This kaftan may have come from one of the graves of the 19 younger sons of Sultan Murat III. They were executed at the succession of their half-brother, Mehmet III, in 1595. This gory practice, designed to avoid a struggle for the succession, was never repeated. The pairs of wavy lines represent the pelts of the striped tiger. In the Islamic world, this design acquired powerful associations. The Iranian hero Rustam, for example, is usually depicted wearing a tiger-skin coat. By 1500 the motif was popular on Ottoman Turkish textiles.
Malzemeler ve teknikler
Woven silk; weft made by silk and gilt metal thread, silk warp; lampas weave with satin ground and weft-faced twill pattern Silk (Textile) Satin Thread Weaving
Fiziksel açıklama
Kaftan, silk tissue in white, blue and gold woven with a twill tie on a red satin ground. It is trimmed with red and white silk, and gold thread.
Üslup
Ottoman
