Page 124 - The Age of Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent

54. Jeweled gold canteen, second
half sixteenth century (Istanbul,
Topkapi Sarayí Müzesi, 2/3825)

flanked by a pair of floral sprays growing from a cluster of inscriptions reflects a much older metalwork tradition. These
leaves placed at the bottom; floral elements fill the lozenges. cartouches, which recall the panels with headings in manu-
The interstices are densely packed with scrolls bearing ha- scripts, are notably plain, particularly when compared with
tayis, six-petaled blossoms, and saz leaves superimposed by the density of decorative motifs used in the surrounding
cloud bands, with ring matting applied to the background. areas. It is possible that the prosaic inscriptions were an after-
Ring matting is used in the background of the main units, ex- thought and these cartouches were originally intended to
cept in the inscribed oblongs, which are left blank. At the have more elaborate designs, such as applied filigree panels
base is a band embellished with a scroll bearing blossoms, or enameled designs.
leaves, and cypress trees, separated from the body by a thin Objects produced in gold datable to Suleyman's reign are
braid. The broken hinge at the top of the handle indicates almost as rare as those made in silver, obviously only the
that the tankard once had a lid. 39 most prized pieces having escaped conversion into currency.
Although the decorative repertoire of the tankard is derived One of these is a spectacular gem-encrusted gold matara used
from contemporary nakka^hane designs, the wording of the for carrying the sultan's drinking water (54). Its flattened bul-

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