Page 148 - The Age of Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent

Arms and Armor Ottoman arms and armor, originally kept in the Arsenal in
the first courtyard of the palace, included a collection of
Among the precious objects produced for the court, it is per- weapons belonging to other Islamic dynasties, such as the
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haps Ottoman arms and armor that are best represented in Mamluks and Safavids. All items were stamped with the
both the Topkapi Palace and in royal collections outside Tur- mark of the arsenal. The ceremonial swords of the Ottoman
key, such as those in Vienna, Krakow, and Budapest. The sultans were carefully preserved in the Hazine, the most re-
vast quantity of richly decorated weapons and military ac- vered one belonging to Osman, the founder of the dynasty.
coutrements that have been preserved is indicative of the size As a part of their accession ceremonies, the sultans girded
and wealth of the Ottoman army. Süleyman and his prede- themselves with Osman's sword, professing to uphold the an-
cessors, proud of their rank as serasker (commander in chief cestral gazi spirit.
of the armed forces), were superior military leaders and strate- The largest collection of swords belonged to Süleyman;
gists. The greatest was Süleyman, who personally led more many of them were made by master sword makers who
than a dozen campaigns. The sultans were involved with the signed their names. 65 According to the published payroll reg-
training and performance of their men, which enabled them isters, 66 the society during Süleyman's reign included native
to undertake the victorious campaigns that extended the artists as well as individuals from Bosnia and Tabriz. The
frontiers of their empire and enriched their treasuries. They names inscribed on the existing swords made for Süleyman,
were equally concerned with the impression made by su- however, are not listed in the registers. The inscriptions in-
perbly equipped and splendidly attired armies reflecting the clude the names of Ahmed Tekelü, the maker of the famous
majesty and power of their state at home and abroad. yatagan (sword) dated 1526/1527 (see 86); Mehmed (possibly
Travelers and official visitors to the Ottoman world re- the Mehmed b. Hamza recorded in 1526), who made one
marked on the high degree of regimentation of the Ottoman sword; Haci Murad b. Ho|kadem, whose name appears on
forces, their brilliantly colored battle dress and banners, and five examples, two of which were made for Süleyman; 67
the impeccable quality of their weapons. Baron Busbecq, the Seyyid Bayram, who made one sword in 1560/1561; 68 Haci
Habsburg ambassador to the court of Süleyman, who wit- Yusuf, who made two swords; 69 and Haci Sungur, whose
nessed the departure of the sultan from Istanbul in 1555, name appears on forty pieces. The latter artist, who was from
made the following observations: Cairo and worked for the last Mamluk sultans, appears to
have come to Istanbul during the reign of Bayezid II and
The Turkish horseman presents a very elegant spectacle made two swords, one of which is dated 1506/1507. Since
mounted on a horse . . . with trappings and horsecloths of silver
spangled with gold and precious stones. He is resplendent in the signature "Haci Sungur" appears on swords spanning
raiment of cloth of gold and silver, or else of silk or satin, or at more than a hundred years, there were either several men
any rate the finest scarlet, or violet, or dark green cloth. At with the same name or it was used by a workshop. There are
either side is a fine sheath, one to hold the bow, the other full at least five examples dedicated to Süleyman, none of which
.
of bright-colored arrows . . . [an] ornamented shield . . is at- are dated. 70
tached to the left arm . . his right hand is encumbered by a The Ottoman sword, renowned for the elasticity and
.
light spear, usually painted green . . . and he is girt with a scim-
itar studded with gems, while a steel club hangs from his horse- strength of its blade, was highly prized. The type called kilic is
cloth or saddle. 61 slightly curved and has a unique blade that widens on the
cutting edge two-thirds of the way toward the tip and forms
The Ottoman armed forces were highly structured and di- a spur, thus concentrating weight of the weapon at its lower
vided into corps, each of which served a different function, portion and increasing the effectiveness of the blow. The kilic
used specific weapons, and wore individualized garments and demanded agile wrist action rather than strength in the arm.
headdresses. The Ehl-i Hiref artists involved with producing Extensive training was required to achieve the proper tech-
arms and armor were just as specialized, and belonged to the nique. The shape of the blade, which became characteristic of
societies that made swords, daggers, scabbards, bows, arrows, Ottoman swords, appeared during the reign of Mehmed II,
maces, shields, cannons, and rifles. 62 The swordmakers were coexisting with the classical straight sword. Its distinctive
divided into two units: the $im§irgeran, who made regular curve evolved during the first quarter of the sixteenth cen-
swords, and the dimickeran, who produced watered steel tury, achieving the perfect balance between weight, length,
blades. These artists were assisted by goldsmiths, gemstone and shape during the reign of Süleyman.
carvers, gold inlayers, ivory carvers, tanners, and embroider- Süleyman's functional swords (see 88-90), made for use
ers, who also contributed to the manufacture of weapons. In in the battlefield and on hunting expeditions, have flattened
addition there were hat makers who supplied the head- and slightly tilted hilts, which are generally covered with
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dresses; weavers who produced the garments, saddlecloths, leather to provide a good grip. The pommels and guards are
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banners, and tents; and musical instrument makers who frequently made of silver, at times gilded and inlaid with
provided the military band with drums, horns, and cymbals. niello; in some examples these components are of blackened

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