ULUC Lale - The Ottoman Contribution to Sixteenth Century Shirazi Manuscript Production | 1995

HISTOIRE DE L'ART / ART HISTORY
Organisation du 10e CONGRES INTERNATIONAL D'ART TURC

This paper surveys the evidence found in the extant illustrated 16th century Persian Shirazi manuscripts of the Topkapi Palace Museum Library in conjunction with the evidence from the surviving documents in the Topkapi Palace Museum archives to determine the role played by the Ottoman book collectors in creating an increased demand for Persian luxury manuscripts. This demand was met by the prolific workshops of Shiraz as is implied by the accumulation of large numbers of Persian Shirazi manuscripts through various means in Ottoman collections. The Ottoman demand was there not only because the Ottoman collectors wanted to purchase these manuscripts for their own libraries and as presents for higher dignitaries of the Ottoman realm, but also because the Safavid officials wanted them for presentation to their Ottoman counterparts. As a result of the extended Ottoman-Safavid hostilities of the 16th century, the officials of the two states had increased contact which led to a more intensive cultural exchange. This in turn contributed to an increased activity in the production of the better quality Shirazi illustrated manuscripts.