The 18th centyry miniaturist Levni almost always depicted women holding flowers and with flower motifs in their appared. His paintings are noted for their colour palette of secondary shades and gentle expressions on the faces of his figures. Miniature album.
TOPKAPI PALACE MUSEUM.

A 19th century spoon for fruit compote. The bowl is made from mother-of-pearl and the handle set with turquoises and rubies. The finial is in the form of a rose. Jewelled spoon.
TOPKAPI PALACE MUSEUM.

Tobacco pouch made of figured silk bocade with a design of carnations in gold and blue on a red ground dating from the 16th century. Girls engaged to be married sewed and embroidered such pouches as gifts for their husbands-to-be. Pouches of different sizes were used for carrying money, seals, watches and tobacco. Tobacco pouch.
TOPKAPI PALACE MUSEUM.

Chanfron or armour for a horse's head with a design of tulips, carnations and prunus blossom on the frontal and blossom and tulips on the cheek pieces. Gilded copper armour of this type was used on ceremonial occasions. Chanfron.
TOPKAPI PALACE MUSEUM.

Kaftan of red satin belonging to Sultan Murad III (1574-1595). The bold design of large silver tulips and crescents worked in applique enhanced the splendid appearance of the wearer. Satin kaftan.
TOPKAPI PALACE MUSEUM.

Mattress cover woven in a design of tulips, rosebuds and huacinths dating from the late 16thcentyry. Mattress cover.
TOPKAPI PALACE MUSEUM.

Gilded bronze candlestick whose candle cup is the form of a tulip, its leafy stem forming the shaft. Bronze candlestick.
MUSEUM OF TURKISH AND ISLAMIC ART-ISTANBUL

Illustration of a carnation by the 18th century painter Ali Uskudari in a book of poetry dated 1727. Uskudari's flower illustrations are noted for their realism. Poetry manuscript.
ISTANBUL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY.

Imperial tents were richly decorated, symbolising the power and splendour of the Ottoman sultans when away from their palaces. This early 19th century tent wall has floral decoration. Gilded leather is one of the materials used for the appliqué work. Imperial tent.
MILITARY MUSEUM – ISTANBUL

Clock dated circa 1725 made for Sultan Ahmed III by Ibrahim, a clockmaker in Edirne. The case is decorated with roses, tulips and other flower motifs. Clok.
TOPKAPI PALACE MUSEUM.

Iznik tankard with a sesign of tulips, hyacinths and narcissi that seem to be blowing in the breeze. The tulip was one of the best belowed flowers in the Ottoman period and symbolised perfection and eternal love. Ceramic tankard.
PRIVATE COLLECTION

Illustration of a purple single carnation and a seed pod tied by a blue ribbon by Ali Uskudari, a illustrations during the reign of Ahmed III. Poetry manuscript.
ISTANBUL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY.

Manuscript binding with a composition of flowers in a vase inside the central medallion. The flowers include a peony, carnation, dahlias, tulips springing from what appears to be a cabbage flower at the base. Leather binding.
TOPKAPI PALACE MUSEUM.

One of the illustrations from a collection of poems by Gazneli Mahmud. The composition consits of tulips, carnations and roses growing in a garden. An unusual feature is the stamped inscription in the centre of each flowers. Gaznevi Album.
ISTANBUL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY.

Binding of a manuscript dated 1757. The central medallion, pendants and corner pieces are decorated with naturalistic floral compositions. Kuran ve Risaleder.
TOPKAPI PALACE MUSEUM.

Illuminated page from a book of poetry written by Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent under the pen-name Muhibbi. The decoration is the work of the artist Karameni, renowned for his flower paintings. Muhibbi Divani.
ISTANBUL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY.

Portrait of Sultan Selim II (1512-1520) at archery pratice. The miniature dates from the 1560s and is the work of the famous painter Nigari. The sultan is wearing a kaftan with a design of tulips and small red flowers in a medallion pattern, over a robe with a floral scrollwork design. Miniature painting. 
TOPKAPI PALACE MUSEUM.

Cut-paper work illustration of a pavilion flanked by cypress trees in a garden filled with tulips and other flowers. The illustration is from an album dated 1687 by the calligrapher Mehemed bin Ahmed Sirozi. Calligraphy album.
KONYA MEVLANA MUSEUM.

Exquisite cut-work paper compositions were made by Ottoman artists. this example shows a flower garden or meadow with carnations growing in a pot in the foreground. The flowers are so realistic and inticately made that they could almost be mistaken for dried flowers. Cut-paper work composition.
 DEPARTMENT OF WALKFS.

Gardens made of sculpted sugar being carried at the festivities celebrating the circumcision of the sons of Sultan Ahmed III in the early 18th century. The gardens contain fruit trees, beds of tulips, pavilions and ornamental pools, one with a fountain and the other a rowing boat. The miniature painting is by Levni. Surname-i Vehbi.
TOPKAPI PALACE MUSEUM.

Ceremonial shield dating from the late 16th century. The shield is made of wicker wound with raw silk in a design of tulips and carnations. the central iron boss bears a star motif. Wicker shield.
TOPKAPI PALACE MUSEUM.

The Privy Chamber of Ahmed III in the Harem of Topkapi Palace. Better known as the Fruit Room, the walls are decorated with ornate compositions of flowers and fruits painted on wood. Fruit Room.
TOPKAPI PALACE MUSEUM.

Some of the illustrations in the Gaznevi Album are in a mixed technique of painting, collage and cut-paper work, their materials including coloured paper and sequins. This example is a composition of flowers beneath a scrollwork floral bower. The fritillaria in the centre is a rare example of this flower in the art of decoration. Gaznevi Album.
ISTANBUL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY.

Detail of panel from a late 19th century Ottoman royal tent. In the centre diverse flowers and foliage spring from cabbage leaves. the composition with bunches of grapes pendant from the sides of the arch displays Western influence. Tent wall fragment.
MILITARY MUSEUM – ISTANBUL

Jewelled silver belt dating from the 19th century. The Buckle is in the form of a tulip, and there are tulip motifs on the two segments attached to it. The belt is encrusted with pearls, emerald and rubies. Jewelled belt.
TOPKAPI PALACE MUSEUM.

Imperial monogram of Suleyman the Magnificent (1520-1566), probably the work of court painter Karamemi. The floral scrollwork decoration inside the loops and shafts of the monogram includes tulips, hyacinths, carnations, roses and blossom. Monogram of Suleyman the Magnificent.
TOPKAPI PALACE MUSEUM.

Ali Uskudari was an eminent artist during the reign of Ahmed III. He was know for his lacquered bindings and particularly for his graceful illustrations of flowers, notably the 30 paintings of flowers which illustrate a poetry book. This example shows a yellow tulip and a white pansy. Poetry manuscript.
ISTANBUL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY.

Cut-paper work vase of flowers illustrating an album of calligraphy by Mehmed bin Ahmed Sirozi dated 1687. The tall vase has a traditional design of rumi scrolls, and is filled with tulips and other flowers. Calligraphic album.
KONYA MEVLANA MUSEUM.

Marble block with two ring handles used for ironing fabrics. The upper surface is decorated in gilded relief motifs of tulips, violets and rosebuds springing from a central rosette. Marble iron.
TOPKAPI PALACE MUSEUM

Nahils were artificial trees decorated with flowers and fruit symbolising long life and abundance which were presented to the bride at weddings and to young boys at their circumcision. This miniature painting shows nahils being carried in procession at the circumcision cremonies for the son of Sultan Murat III in the 16th century. Surname-i Humayun.
TOPKAPI PALACE MUSEUM

Jewelled gold aigrette in the form of a carnation belonging to one of the Ottoman sultans. Aigrettes were attached to turbans as ornaments, and also presented as gifts by the sultans to foreign rulers and statesmen. Jewelled aigrette.
MUSEUM OF TURKISH AND ISLAMIC ART-ISTANBUL

Traditional headdress resembling a flower garden, adorned with needle lace flowers of diverse kinds, including honeysuckle, violets, hyacinths, roses and carnations.
Needle lace headdress. 
PRIVATE COLLECTION

Iznik plate circa 1575 with a design of carnations in a naturalistic style, serrated leaves, and flowers resembling anemones springing from a leafy clump. The border is decorated with cloud bands and scroll motifs.
Iznik plate. 
PRIVATE COLLECTION

Illustration of diverse flowers in a vase set upon a low stool flanked by cherries and a pear. The flowers include an anemone, rose, cornflowers, hyacinths and tulips.
Ganevi Album. 
ISTANBUL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY.

Inlaid throne of Sultan Ahmed I which was used on the eve of religious festivals and so known as Arife Throne. The throne is made of walnut and set with emeralds, rubies, chrysolites, turquoises and other precious stones. The entire surface is inlaid with mother-of.pearl and ivory in compositions of flowers including tulip, carnations, honeysuckle and roses.
Arife Throne. 
TOPKAPI PALACE MUSEUM

Miniature painting by Abdullah Buhari of an unusual Ottoman tulip in a 16^th century album. The tulip is probably one of the varieties grown in the palace gardens.
Album by Abdullah Buhari. 
TOPKAPI PALACE MUSEUM

The Ottoman love of flowers in reflected in the arts of the book, including bindings. Early lacquered bindings were decorated with stylised flowers, while in later examples the flowers are more naturalistically drawn. Lacquered binding.
TOPKAPI PALACE MUSEUM

Flower motifs were even used on armour, such as this jewel encrusted helmet thought to date from the reign of Suleyman the Magnificent. Each of the rubies and turquoises is net in a flower-shaped gold mount.
Helmet. 
TOPKAPI PALACE MUSEUM

Vaulted ceiling with stucco decoration in the early 18^th century Ahmed III Library at Topkapi Palace. The panels encircling the centrepiece contain painted compositions of flowers in vases and floral scrolls. The flowers depicted include lilies, tulips, roses, carnations, jonquils and hyacinths. Ahmed III Library.
TOPKAPI PALACE MUSEUM

One of the compositions of flowers illustrating the collected poems of Gazneli Mahmud in a manuscript dated 1685. This symmetric composition consists of tulips, carnations and narcissi in a vase of opaque white glass.
Gaznevi Album. 
ISTANBUL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY

Bronze candlestick with a candleholder in the form a tulip. Tulips were not only grown in Ottoman gardens but were a frequent motif adorning the pavilions and mansions of the upper classes. These flowers even gave their name to a period in Ottoman history, the Tulip Era, in the early 18^th century. Tulip-shaped candlestick.
MUSEUM OF TURKISH AND ISLAMIC ART-ISTANBUL

Flowers played an important role in palace celebrations. This miniature painting depicts member of the guild of spice sellers carrying vases of flowers at the festivities for the circumcision of Prince Mehmed, son of Sultan Murad III in the late 16^th century. Surname-I Humayun.
TOPKAPI PALACE MUSEUM

Royal tents used by the Ottoman sultans were miniature palaces, their cloth walls decorated with embroidery and appliqué compositions. This panel from an 18^th century tent wall consists of carnations and other flowers springing from a vase. Tent wall.
MILITARY MUSEUM – ISTANBUL

This 19^th century brooch is a rare example of Ottoman jewellery with tulip motifs. The centres of the two flowers are formed of large faceted drop-shaped stones. Diamond brooch.
PRIVATE COLLECTION.

Early 17th century kaftan worn by Sultan Ahmed I (1603-1617) as a child. The composition consist of pine cones in the form of stylised cypress trees woven in gold, surrounded by tulips and carnations and set in floral medallions with tulip finials. Child’s kaftan.
TOPKAPI PALACE MUSEUM

Ottoman men decorated their turbans with real flowers, and the sultans wore aigrettes in floral compositions encrusted with rubies, diamonds, turquoises, emeralds and other precious stones. Jewelled aigrette.
MUSEUM OF TURKISH AND ISLAMIC ART – ISTANBUL

Inlaid cupola of a royal barge used by Sultan Mehmed III (1595-1603). The inlay composition of tortoiseshell and mother-of-pearl consists of various flowers, including carnations, tulip and honeysuckle. The mother-of-pearl flowers are studded with coloured gems in silver mounts. Royal barge.
NAVAL MUSEUM, ISTANBUL

Naturalistic flowers such as hyacinths, carnations and tulips began to appear in Iznik ceramics during the reign of Suleyman the Magnificent. This 16^th century plate with a design of cloud bands and spirals around the rim id decorated with a large tupip curving anticlockwise. Iznik plate.
PRIVATE COLLECTION

A flowe garden in cut-paper work on a mid-16th century lacquered binding. The composition includes fruit trees in blossom, roses, tulips, irises and hyacinths. Lacquered binding.
TOPKAPI PALACE MUSEUM

Interior panels of an imperial tent belonging to Sultan and blossoming fruit trees are worked on a ground of light green taffeta and satin. Above each tree is a star and crescent motif. Single-pole square tent. 
MILITARY MUSEUM - ISTANBUL

The Ottoman love of flowers was reflected in every branch of the arts. This miniature painting datingg from the Tulip Era in the early 18th century is by the famous artist Levni, and depicts a young man at the court of the Persian sultan holding a tupip. Album by Levni.
TOPKAPI PALECE MUSEUM

Cut-paper work composition of flowers in tall vases. The flowers include narcissi, tapering Ottoman tupips, chrysanthemums and roses. Cut-paper composition. 
DEPARTMENT OF WAKFS

Chinese porcelain for the use of the sultan was often decorated by Ottoman palace goldsmiths and jewellers. This 16th century lidded bowl has been set with emeralds, rubies and other precious stones in gold mounts, surrounded by patterns of gold leaves. Chinese bowl. 
TOPKAPI PALACE MUSEUM