A Fine Ottoman Turkish Sherbet Spoon and a Delicate Ottoman Turkish Sherbet Spoon with Tear Shaped Tortoiseshell Bowl

Epoque: 1750-1850

Origine: Turkey

Medium: Ivory, Tortoisehell, Coral, Brass

Dimension: 25.5 cm (10 inches)

Literature: The Ottomans liked using multiple materials in combination and the craftsmen at the Topkapi Palace produced many luxury items using exotic materials from around the world. Artists, architects and craftsmen engaged in all the various decorative arts were employed and lodged within the grounds of the palace. Rather than relying on placing orders with independent masters, the Ottomans kept co-opting the best artists they could find into their own palace workshops. Records show that at the beginning of the 16th century over 360 artisans were employed and that by the end of the century this number had risen to over 1500 craftsmen, all on the payroll of the palace. However by the end of the 18th century their number had been considerably reduced to a mere 186.
     Topkapi Palace formed the centre of the Ottoman world. For almost four centuries the palace patronised the fine arts producing textiles, jewels, carpets, calligraphy, arms and armour, manuscripts and bookbinding. The palace servants and concubines were recruited from far-flung provinces of the empire and the Ottoman rulers also had a penchant for precious stones and exotic materials and these also imported from distant shores were then used to achieve the most magnificent results possible in the palace workshops. For wealthy Europeans these luxury goods became status symbols whilst in the early 1800’s, from London to Paris, it became the height of fashion to dress ‘à la Turca’.