The Ottoman Empire (1299-1922) spanned hundreds of years and vast territories along the Mediterranean Sea, from southern Europe and North Africa through the Middle East and Asia. Textiles served a significant role in Ottoman society — in the royal court, common households, religion, industry and trade. Just outside Topkapi Palace in the capital city of Constantinople (now Istanbul), government-run workshops for textile weaving, dyeing, design and production flourished.
Every year, Ottoman sultans sent precious gifts, including sumptuous silk textiles, to decorate pilgrimage sites in the holy cities of Mecca and Medina. When they were replaced the following year, these textiles were distributed or sold as holy relics for reverent use as tomb covers, Qu’ran covers, mosque hangings or special talismanic clothing.
This beautiful 18th-century tomb cover is intricately patterned with verses from the Qu’ran. The bold green color is common throughout Islam. The richness of this example was likely achieved by combining blue (indigo or woad) and yellow (possibly weld) dyes using centuries-old dye recipes, which were valuable and closely guarded. Green symbolizes life, nature, gardens and the paradise of the afterlife. Placed in an Ottoman mausoleum (türbe), with its colorful floral tiles and mosaics, this cover would have recreated the restful garden of paradise for the deceased.
