Two
Ottoman tents (Turkish: čadır, Persian: khema) exhibited in this
collection impressively illustrate Ottoman craftsmanship and traditional tent
art.
Tents have always been a consistent part of Ottoman culture. The roots date back
to the time when the Ottomans were nomads. This type of tent survives in the
form of the yurt used until today by nomadic people in middle and central Asia.
A yurt consists of criss-crossed wooden lattices arranged in a circle. Rafters
connect the lattices to the roof ring for overall stabilisation. Bands wrapped
around the outside prevent the rafters from pressing the lattices to opening
further. This basic trellis construction is subsequently covered with materials
like canvas, felt, animals’ skins or furs. Over the years the Ottomans developed
a variety of forms, adapted in size, decoration and preciousness to the status
of the owner of the tent and to its intended use: courtly, socio cultural or for
military purposes).
The fragment of a twin-support tent (approx. 2x5m) exhibited in the museum
consists of red cotton and shows a simple popular application technique. The
individual forms of its decoration were cut out of textiles piece by piece and
stitched onto the support.
The round tent (approx. 7x12,6m) shows a more elaborate decoration. From this
one can deduct that it must have been used by a high-ranking person. The inner
walls are covered with red cloth and show an overall decoration effectuated by
means of silk threats: a surrounding decorative arcade contains vases with
various flowers which are placed between the columns; similar motifs appear are
above the tent walls. Remarkable characteristics of this tent are not only the
use of silk and in some areas also gold-plated leather but also the special
border seam covered in turn with silk threats. Due to its size and ingenious
execution this state tent is unique and without a match in European collections.
Based on German text by Anna Szöke
Bibliography:
Katalog
der historischen Ausstellung der Stadt Wien, Wien 1883.
Erben,Wilhelm; Wilhelm,John, Katalog des K. und K. Heeresmuseums, Wien
1903.
Allmayer, Christoph – Beck, Das Heeresgeschichtliche Museum Wien, Wien 1983.
Popelka, Liselotte , Heeresgeschichtliches Museum Wien, Graz, Köln, Florenz
1988.
Atasoy, Nurhan:The Ottoman Imperial Tent Complex, Istanbul 2000.