Ottoman EmbroideryThis book is a celebration of the extensive collection of Ottoman embroidery at the V and A which ranges from the middle of the 16th century to 1900. In addition to illustrating over 100 major pieces, an introductory text puts the collection in context, explaining who the Ottomans were and their impact on Europe. The embroideries themselves include pieces such as sashes, kerchiefs and scarves which were made to satisfy the requirements of the Ottoman household and are strongly redolent of an exotic way of life. The embroideries can be divided into pre- and post-1720, when the Ottomans made peace with Central and Western Europe, and incorporated many aspects of Western art into their textile traditions. It was not until the 19th century however, that Ottoman embroidery in the form of towels and napkins began to appear in public and private collections in Britain. The book is illustrated with 145 embroideries which are split into the four most characteristic Ottoman techniques- surface darning, laid and couched, double running and double darning. Above all it is the unique double-sided embroideries that are fascinating to Western observers where the same basic stitch has been used over five centuries. This type of embroidery continues to be carried out today by a few skilled practitioners. All techniques are clearly explained through specially commissioned diagrams, which |
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17th century Hanging 18th century Cover 19th century Towel/napkin Ahmed III Anatolia colours Constantinople cotton embroidered cut and hemmed darning and double diagonal lines diagram double darning double running stitch double running variations embroidered with silk embroidery stitches European filling in squares filling stitch fishbone fishbone and satin fishbone stitch Given by Professor grand vizier ground fabric Harem Holy Roman Empire Islam Istanbul kafes lattice linen embroidered London metal thread mid-19th century Towel/napkin motifs muşabak stitch Muslim Oghuz Turks Ottoman embroidery Ottoman Empire Palmer plate in satin Professor RM Dawkins regular surface darning RM Dawkins PLATE running in steps running stitch border running stitch variations satin stitch filling Seljuk side cut silk in atma silk in double silk in regular silk in surface sixteenth century slanted satin stitch stitch and double stitch and satin sultan Szentgotthárd textiles thread in double tulip Turkish Turks variations and combinations Vienna weft