Suleiman the Magnificent

This replica from the 16th century exhibited in your room is of one of the 87 talismanic shirts from the Collection of Sultan’s Clothing at Topkapi Palace and it is considered to have belonged to Suleiman the Magnificent according to the prayers, motives and meanings of the talisman on the shirt and therefore was adorned with one of his poems…

May this talisman make your power and virtue forever, protect you at all times; bring you luck…

It is a white cotton collarless shirt with short sleeves… There is a deep front slit and star patterns are dominant on the both front and back of the shirt. Considering the intensity of star and sky motives of the adornment, it is obvious that the shirt is related to the star system. The calculation of the propitious moment and luck wishes for the owner are also the signs of the effect of astrology all over the shirt. Geometrical patterns reflect the sense of infinity and both the inside and around of the stars and geometrical patterns are heavily ornamented.

Maybe because of the power of its owner or because of the value of arts at the time, the shirt was meticulously engraved… Although there is not one dominant colour on the shirt, the use of colour blue at the ends of the stars and on the borders of the shirt is mirroring the power of magic as well as aesthetic concern; the certain belief in the correlation of the colours and magic was not uncommon then. This shirt elaborately tailored for Suleiman I is one of the most selective examples of the 16th century.

The shirt was made with wishes of infinite strength and power at the mightiest time of Suleiman the Magnificent during his enthronement; when his armies conquering the east and the west, his bravery and justice magnified his glory.

He was the 10th Sultan of Ottoman Empire… He was called Suleiman the Magnificent in the West and Suleiman the Lawgiver in the East… His reign lasted for forty six years. He earned the love and respect of people of not only his country but also others’.

He was so appreciated that Venice Ambassador Bartolomeo Contarini stated as follows which later the history proved right: "He is twenty six years old, tall yet graceful. He has a long neck, slim face and a hooked nose; A shadow like moustache and sparse beard. He has a pretty face yet his skin is rather pale. I’ve heard he is a smart emperor and everyone believes his reign will be opportune." …

Being infamous for his artist personality and elegant tastes as well as his victories, he was the hero of many unknown love stories and enshrined in many hearts, even though their legendary love and marriage with Hurrem Sultan was what everybody was speaking of.