Ottoman tents
Ottoman tents were fabric architectural structures used by the Ottoman Empire. they could be transported and erected anywhere, from the battlefield to palatial gardens. These portable structures served as everything from simple soldiers' tents to large imperial fabric palaces. In particular, the monumental decorated fabric structures belonging to the sultan were strategically deployed to display the Ottoman Empire’s military might, international influence, and imperial power on special occasions. Unlike permanent built forms, tents could be reused in various locales for different purposes, giving them the advantage of versatility.
Imperial use
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The empire's territorial spread was catalyzed by tent usage, namely for military campaigns. Tents were able to be adapted to the geography of the land as the sultan's armies were on the move, and as such large encampments could be set up and removed quickly without disturbing the surrounding environment.[2]
During military campaigns, a sultan would have a large complex of tents at his disposal, called Otağ-ı Hümayun.[3] Two sets of tents would accompany the sultan and his army or entourage while traveling: one would be in use while the other would be sent further ahead and readied for the sultan's pending arrival.[3] The Otağ-ı Hümayun was not only a military headquarters but also a home away from home, and provided amenities such as kitchen tents and bathroom tents. The Otağ-ı Hümayun was also surrounded by a large fabric wall called zokak to create a private enclosure.[4]
Imperial tents would also be erected in palace gardens to create an area for leisure activities or respite from the sun. In other cases, they would be used as a stage for state ceremonies and related celebrations,[5] including the circumcision festival held in honor of the sultan's sons coming of age.[6][failed verification]
The tent corps
[edit]The Ottoman Imperial Tent Corps resided in the Palace of Ibrahim Pasha where they were responsible for tent manufacturing, repairs, pitching, and transporting tents. The Corps also produced furnishings for imperial palaces, pavilions, and caiques.[7][failed verification]
Structure, decoration, and materials
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The basic structure of all Ottoman tents includes an outer shell and an inner shell that are held together with toggles and loops, and erected with struts and dowels. The outer shell is made of a sturdier fabric like broadcloth or canvas to keep the interior warm; the Imperial Tent Corps would coat this outer shell in wax or oil to protect it from the elements.[8] The inner shell is often highly decorated and features a variety of materials; including cotton, silk, and gilt leather, and in later centuries also sequins, chenille, and metallic threads.[7]
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Appliqué was the most common technique used to decorate tent interiors during the early modern period but embroidery became popular in tent decoration later, especially during the 18th and 19th centuries. Embroidery allowed for more variation in color and form, which led to more intricate details and naturalistic rendering of motifs, which reflected the courtly tastes of the period.[8] Both appliquéd and embroidered imagery included representations of permanent architectural elements such as archways as well as floral motifs and şemse (solar medallions).[10]
Furnishings
[edit]The interior of the tents would be furnished and organized for events that were taking place. During peacetime, the interior would be made to bring comfort to those who used them. Many different types of soft furnishings were used, such as carpets or rugs, pillows, and curtains or drapes. Rush mats were placed down first before carpets or other fabric floor coverings, which helped keep them clean.[11] Interior furnishings and added elements would be arranged and selected to suit the event.[12]
References
[edit]- ^ "Ottoman Tukish Tents". Wawel Royal Castle. Retrieved 2025-05-14.
- ^ "Safavid, Mughal, and Ottoman Empires", Time in Early Modern Islam, Cambridge University Press, pp. 21–47, 2013-02-11, doi:10.1017/cbo9781139343305.004, ISBN 978-1-139-34330-5, retrieved 2025-05-07
- ^ a b Atasoy, Nurhan. "Ottoman Imperial Tents". CurrentMiddleAges.org. Retrieved 2025-05-07.
- ^ AKIN, Kamile; KES, Yusuf (2017). "TÜRK KÜLTÜRÜNDEKİ ÇADIR GELENEĞİNİN OSMANLI MİNYATÜR SANATINA YANSIMALARI/Reflections Of Tent Tradition In The Turkish To Ottoman Miniature Art". International Journal of Interdisciplinary and Intercultural Art. 2 (2): 113–128. doi:10.29228/ijiia.2.18 – via Academia.edu.
- ^ Gruber, Christiane (2016-08-01), Islamic Architecture on the Move, Intellect Books, pp. 1–24, doi:10.2307/j.ctv36xvz51.4, ISBN 978-1-78320-639-1, retrieved 2025-05-07
- ^ "Appendix – Sheila Blair and Jonathan Bloom: A Combined Bibliography", The Making of Islamic Art, Edinburgh University Press, pp. 388–420, 2021-05-17, doi:10.1515/9781474434300-024, ISBN 978-1-4744-3430-0, retrieved 2025-05-07
- ^ a b Atasoy, Nurhan (2004). "Ottoman Garden Pavilions and Tents". Muqarnas Online. 21 (1): 15–19. doi:10.1163/22118993-90000050. ISSN 0732-2992.
- ^ a b Dimmig, Ashley (2016), "Fabricating a New Image: Imperial Tents in the Late Ottoman Period", Islamic Architecture on the Move, Intellect Books, pp. 101–134, doi:10.2307/j.ctv36xvz51.7, ISBN 978-1-78320-639-1, retrieved 2025-05-07
- ^ "Dach und Seitenwand eines Dreimastzeltes". SKD | Online Collection. Retrieved 2025-05-14.
- ^ Dimmig, Ashley (2023), "A Tented Baroque: Ottoman Fabric (and) Architecture in the Long Nineteenth Century", Textile in Architecture, London: Routledge, pp. 194–212, doi:10.4324/9781003281276-15, ISBN 978-1-003-28127-6, retrieved 2025-05-07
- ^ Nurhan Atasoy, Otağ-1 Hümayun The Ottoman Imperial Tent Complex, Istanbul, 2000, pg. 127-145
- ^ O'Kane, Bernard (1993). "From Tents to Pavilions: Royal Mobility and Persian Palace Design". Ars Orientalis. 23: 249–268. ISSN 0571-1371. JSTOR 4629452.