In the
sixteenth century the Ottoman Empire was a permanent threat to the Christian
Occident. However, it was also admired because of its outstanding art and
culture. This ambivalence of fear and fascination made European rulers and
nobles collect Turkish art objects.
In the treasury of the Teutonic Order at Vienna several precious Oriental
objects are on display which came from the Kunstkammer of Grand Master Archduke
Maximilian III (1558-1618). Right from the beginning the Teutonic Order got
numerous donations from high-ranking benefactors and also from different
sovereigns. Almost all of the objects shown in the treasury of the Teutonic
Order came into their possession between 1198 and 1929, the long period of
activity of the order as a religious order of knights. The collection sets
cross-regional standards and is unique in many respects. Its formation, history
and preservation over centuries is until today strongly connected with the
general history of the order in all territories in which it was active.
It is unknown how the Ottoman daggers came into the possession of Maximilian
III. They might have been trade objects or gifts rather than booty. During the
early period of the Ottoman Empire many rulers out of religious reasons
preferred not to have too much jewellery or gold and silver objects. A saying (hadith)
of the Prophet Muhammad demands moderation. An important production line of
metalwork were military objects, the equipment of the Ottoman army. Despite all
their decoration and ornamentation these precious weapons and armours were
primarily meant for everyday use but also status symbols of their owners to
impress friends and enemies. The important elements of the equipment were of
course the daggers (hançar) or knives (bıçak) with long, straight, pointed or
curved two-edged blades.
The first dagger with sheath (Inv. No W-004.1-2) has a handle of gold incrusted
nephrite. The blade of pattern-welded steel is perforated and at the poison
groove two movable pearls can be detected. Thirty six diamonds and seven rubies
are further embellishments. Another twelve small diamonds form a ring on the
lower part of the handle. This dagger was a present of Archduke Albrecht VII,
Governor General of the Southern Netherlands, to his brother Maximilian. The
other dagger and the sheath (Inv. No W-005.1-2) shown beside it cannot have
belonged originally together because the knife with a handle of white nephrite
is too narrow for the sheath.
The dagger with sheath (Inv. No W-006.1-2) of golden plating and gemstones form
a unity. The handle and the sheath are decorated with turquoises and rubies. The
surface of the wooden sheath is covered with heavy gold plating. The cross-guard
of the dagger ends with small dragon heads und shows typical features of
Persian/Turkish artifacts of the sixteenth century. The blade is similar to that
of dagger N°46. People of many cultures imagined that turquoises protect the
bearer against black magic. In addition, the stone was believed to give
strength, health and joy of life. According to legends, the turquoise can change
its colour to warn the bearer of imminent threats.
Also the Kunstkammer of Emperor Rudolf II (ru. 1576-16120 contained more than
one hundred Turkish knifes and daggers. A particularly nice knife used for
cutting food is exhibited in the Kunsthistorisches Museum (Museum of Fine Arts)
at Vienna (Inv.-N°KK 2165). The knifes handle is decorated with golden inlays
on iron. The corresponding leather sheath is richly decorated with rubies and
turquoises and shows Arabic inscriptions on the golden edging. The rich
decorations demonstrates that the Ottoman upper class had a preference for
ostentatious representation. In spite of the formal character of these objects,
the general sense of the Ottomans for aesthetics and their fascination with
beauty is convincingly demonstrated.
Based on German text by Polina Milikina
Literatur:
Beda, Dudik,
Die Kleinodien des Deutschen Ritterordens, Wien 1865
Fillitz,Hermann , Schatzkammer des Deutschen Ordens (Kurzkatalog), Eigenverlag
des Deutschen Ordens, Wien 1971
800 Jahre Deutscher Orden, Ausstellungskatalog Nürnberg 1990, Kat. No. III.
8.26.
Die Welt des Orients.Kunst und Kultur des Islam.Kunsthalle Leoben
.Ausstellungskatalog 2006