A cultural history of the Ottomans: the imperial elite and its artefacts

Introduction -- Reusing the work of past times and foreign lands -- The Ottoman sultan: victorious and pious -- Society and its divisions -- A world of three religions: Ottoman conquests and the non-Muslim population -- Making war and peace: fighting, gift-giving and the delineation of borders -- Eating and drinking, mostly from precious objects -- Piles and piles of textiles and leathers -- Earth, water, air and fire: the gifts and perils of nature -- Conclusion.;The Ottoman Empire was more than a center of military and economic activity; it was a vivid and flourishing cultural realm. The artefacts and objects remaining from all corners of this vast empire tell us a great deal about the everyday concerns of the Ottomans. In this book, Faroqhi, a leading historian on the Ottoman Empire, has selected the most revealing, surprising and striking examples of the artefacts which illuminate the lesser-known cultural and artistic world of the Ottomans. Each image reproduced in full color is deftly linked to the latest historiography, and the social, political and economic implications of her selections are never forgotten. In Faroqhi's hands, the objects become ways to learn more about trade, gender and socio-political status. They open an enticing window onto the variety and color of everyday life; from the Sultan's court, to the peasantry and slavery. Amongst its luxuriant faiences and etchings, its sofras and carpets, "A Cultural History of the Ottomans" is essential reading for all students of the Ottoman Empire and its material culture."