Jewelery in Anatolia
An Ottoman Jeweller, always works regardfully, tries not to intervene stone much
and cares to fit his design to shape of the stone. He makes naturalist artworks
which reflects the Ottomon spirit, the synthesis of Empire. As the Ottoman Empire
grow stronger, expands its boundaries, providing the precious Stones and mine to
be used in jewelery, becomes much easier.
Therefore, after the jewelery masters from Horasan, Tebriz, Bosna; different regions
from Balkans, Russian borders and Georgian and Cherkess regions, starts to visit
Capital Ctiy of Ottoman Empire to present their talents, the jewelery producing
became varied and richer. In Ottomon Jewelery, inlay, play, carving, Savate (niello),
filigree (watermark), wicker, and nailing techniques are used. In the Ottoman tradition,
jewelry is a salient art form that is loved and supported by the sultans. At the
time when the all branches of art reached its peak in the 16th century, there were
many masterpieces produced in ornaments and and jeweleries. Especially during the
first period of the reign of Suleiman, Sultan’s splendor desire for his appearance
and society, ensured a great importance to jewelry and led to jewelery get into
the Ottoman tradition. Also, effects of this event are Kanuni’s knowledgement about
jeweleries and also the famous Grand Vizier Ibrahim Pasha’s artistic taste.
In 1532, Venedician Jeweller Caorlini Family, prepared a helmet for Kanuni Sultan
Suleiman with precious stones and it was resebling a crown. Also it is known that
this helmet price is nearly 100000 duka’s.