Archive April 2011
Ottoman Textiles Reveal Lifestyles From The Past at The Museum of Islamic Art
Intricate Historical Ottoman Embroidery Provides a Link To The Past
As we have several fine examples of Ottoman textiles, and an intricately embroidered Ottoman Waistcoat in the Zadah Gallery, we were particularly interested in a recent article in Hali magazine reviewing the ‘Embroidered Dreams’ exhibition running at the famed Museum of Islamic Art in Jerusalem, also reviewed on the GoJerusalem website. The exhibition features a collection of Ottoman embroidery dating back to the early days of the Ottoman Empire, from places as diverse as Greece and North Africa – which made up just a small part of the Ottoman Empire at the peak of its’ reach. The Museum of Islamic Art is well known for exhibitions that portray and reflect life in the East during specific periods in history, and this one is no exception – presenting a display reflective of what women did within the period and how they considered themselves.
The Ottoman Empire dates back to 1289 with the reign of Osman 1, who founded the Empire. Rising to prominence through the 15th, 16th and 17th Centuries, the Ottoman Empire was at its’ peak in the 16th Century. It fell into stagnation in the 17th and 18th Centuries, declining more rapidly in the 19th Century, finally coming to an end in the early years of the 20th Century – before and during the First World War. The Republic of Turkey is the successor state to the heart of the former Ottoman Empire.
Ottoman embroidery pieces are unique – hand-embroidered pieces where no two are the same. Traditionally, they feature floral patterns, but stand-out pieces include garden themed pieces and architectural designs. The pieces often include ornate designs and embellishments not seen in today’s mass-produced towels and textiles. Many of the pieces in the exhibition are known as ‘luxury towels’ but they have nothing in common with today’s towels – they were used more for decoration, and often comprised a part of a bride’s dowry – the Ottoman bride would display the pieces as a sign of her abilities and potential.
Embroidery has fallen out of fashion – women are no longer sitting around with hours to dedicate to the craft, and it’s no longer a much-enjoyed pastime. That makes the Ottoman embroideries all the more important as a piece of history, reflecting a culture lost in modern times. Their intricacy, uniqueness and unrivalled attention to detail makes Ottoman embroidery a a cultural icon from history that deserves our reverence, a forgotten craft from a time long past.
Ottoman Pieces For Sale in the Zadah Gallery
Ottoman Textile, from the early 1700s
Call us on (+44) 0207 935 7125 for more information on any of the pieces above
Hali Magazine Feature on the Ottoman Embroidery Exhibition
Ottoman Embroidery Resources
Hali Magazine Review of Our Recent ‘Eastern Gems’ Antique Textiles Exhibition
Our successful ‘Eastern Gems’ antique textile, rug, carpet and tapestry exhibition at the beginning of April was featured in the highly respected industry-standard Hali magazine on 8th April
From the Hali website:
There was a hectic week of activities for the rug and textile community in London over the Islamic Week as two specialist antique fairs and two high end dealer shows vied for people’s attention…
(details about inaugural London Antique Rug and Textile Art Fair, and KARMA omitted)…
…Running alongside these collective events was ‘Eastern Gems’ at Zadah’s gallery at 4 Marylebone Street (30 March – 8 April), which showed an eclectic variety of material on offer ranging from Coptic textile fragments and Flemish tapestries through Safavid carpets and later tribal and village rugs, to Indian embroideries and silk ikats from Southeast Asia, not to mention a surprising collection of Malian arkilla and other African cloths, as well as some top quality Ottoman embroideries.
From Hali Magazine itself (click the image to enlarge):
We will be changing this image to a larger, clearer one very soon (as soon as we receive it) so please check back if you find the one above hard to read
The Zadah Easterns Gems Exhibition – Antique Rugs and Carpets, Antique Textiles and Antiquities
The private preview of Zadah gallery’s Exhibition took place on the 30th march, 2011. The exhibition took place until the 7th April, 2011
The Zadah Gallery Spring Exhibition of Antique Textiles, Rugs and Tapestries
Containing Antique Carpets and Rugs, and Antique Textiles, Zadah Gallery’s latest exhibition features a selection of very rare, highly collectable, museum-quality antique rugs and textiles from historical Dynasties such as Ming and Mughul.
Yesterday, we held a private evening for a select group of experts, including many international antique textile specialists, dealers, curators, publishers and private guests in attendance, including one of the editors of Halli Magazine, Markus Voigt, and Jacqueline Simcock.
The pieces shown at the exhibition are all museum pieces and very rare.
The evening was a resounding success, and the guests enjoyed champagne and sushi canapes, whilst marveling at the intricacy of the textiles and craftsmanship ranging from the 16th to 19th Century. These include the Ottoman, Ming Dynasty and Mughal periods.
Richly woven antique Persian rugs, and other eastern carpets and antique rugs were also available to view, from our extensive collection of antique rugs from the East.
You are invited to visit this exclusive exhibition.
All the pieces are for sale. You have the opportunity to own a rich piece of history, exquisitely beautiful and exceptionally rare.
We have one of the finest collections of antique rugs, persian rugs, ancient tapestries, antique textiles, and eastern antiquities, that you can see outside a museum, but only for a short time.
Private viewings with Zadah can be arranged. Call us on (+44) 020 7935 7125
written by Gulrukh Khan
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