Cem Sultan
This replica from 16th Century exhibited in your room is of one of the 87 talismanic shirts from the Collection of Sultan’s Clothing at Topkapi Palace belonged to the son of Mehmet II, Sultan Cem and therefore is adorned with one of his poems…
May this Talisman protect you… Give you power and strength
The sun was on the first zodiac sign; Aries. Aries is a sign featuring a structure as solid as mine, a fiery nature and changeability. 19th degree of Aries was the sun’s culmination point meaning its propitious moment. The shirt started to be weaved on 30th of March 1477, on a Sunday night when the clock hit 03.57. The shirt was finished on 29th of March 1480, on a Tuesday night at 12.36 and the sun was again on Aries and its 19th degree.
It was weaved according to the rituals, the white cambric…
And then, its story started… Black, red and gold coloured prayers were calligraphed on the powerful blue talismanic shirt. On the left shoulder side of the original shirt, a wish read "May Sultan Cem’s nation last forever" surrounded by other prayers wishing protection and victories during the wars he fights. Right in the middle of the shirt the Seal of Solomon Talisman shaped as two concentric triangles was placed with protection and luck prayers in it. There were also wood, mine and carpet patterns on the lines connecting the circles that create squares on the surface.
Sultan Cem, son of Mehmed the Conqueror and his wife Cicek Hatun was handsomely tall; he had blue eyes and long eyelashes, full lips slightly curling to the left, hooked nose reminiscent of his father’s, small ears and chin, sparse beard; he was agile and imperturbable. He was restrained and demure, he was a fiery man of his word.
He was a son of Ottoman Empire who made people wish that he was there, that he stayed. He was in love with art. Interest in Renaissance art in Ottoman Empire during his time was felt while it reduced after his death. He was curious to learn both western and eastern sciences and a venturous warrior.
Unfortunate series of event led him away from home for long years. Twelve years of longing became unbearable for his aching heart…
It was dawn, the weather was foggy and chilly… He listened to the sound of his heart, dipped his pen in ink and started to write… His yearnings for his family, his home, his wishes of being finally reunited with his love… He departed this life after a few days of such sorrow…
He voiced his love and affection for his love through a poem…
Oh my love, your sweet lips will bring me to infinity,
The colour of your cheeks like the sun will shine brightly…
Unfortunately Sultan Cem’s tragic course of life never let him wear the talismanic shirt that was made for him…
