THE ROLE OF COURT TEXTILES IN OTTOMAN-VENETIAN RELATIONS

Starting from the 13th Century, until the conquest of Istanbul, The Republic of Venice has been trading with Balkans, Aegean, Black Sea regions, Byzantine Empire and Anatolian seigniories upon capitulations. The newly founded Ottoman Empire has carried these relationships on a stronger basis, solidifying the political and economic relations with treaties and cultural and artistic interactions. In the 16th and 17th centuries, several Ottoman Emperors have signed "ahidnames" (capitulations) in favor of Venetian merchants, granting them the free trade of luxury quality goods both in the marine and territorial fields. These goods were consisted of papers (a.ligorna) glass, and fabrics such as damasks, brocade and velvet. The luxurious fabric selection of Ottoman Emperors were not only products of high technology but also economic, social and political symbols of the era in which they have been produced. The silk textiles woven in Venetian workshops reflect the Ottoman taste with a Venetian technology, carrying upon themselves the red color and golden ornaments of the Empire. The Italian textiles ordered by the official merchants of the Court were recorded in the Ottoman commodity registeries, in Topkap？ Palace Museum inventory. Kaftans, upholstery, manuscript covers were intricately made with Venetian velvet and luxury fabrics like gold-threaded brocade, satin and kemha. The admiration of Ottoman Emperors towards Venetian velvets can clearly be seen on their selection of Kaftan textiles: only two kaftans are made of Ottoman velvet, while the others carry the details of Venetian weaving. Within this context, Ottoman and Venetian relations on politics, economy and culture will be examined through textiles