Page 154 - The Age of Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent

86. Jeweled and gold-inlaid yatagan made for Sultan Süleyman by Ahmed
Tekelii in 1526/1527 (Istanbul, Topkapi Sarayi Miizesi, 2/3776)

with a scaly body intertwined with saz scrolls; its claws grasp The central sections, which show a frieze of minute trefoils
the branches as it emerges from the foliage to attack a sen- along the cutting edge of the blade, are filled by two versions
murv. The senmurv, which confronts the dragon with its of the same theme. One side displays a gold-inlaid animated
mouth open and claws ready to tear into its opponent, has a scroll with large lion heads amid smaller ones belonging to
scaly and feathered body and a tail with long and swirling dragons, monkeys, bears, and other animals; the other side
plumes. The creatures were cast separately in steel or iron reveals a scroll with hatayi blossoms and composite rumis.
and affixed to the surface; the senmurv and the face and legs The longer and last sections of the blade have gold-inlaid sü-
of the dragon are inlaid with gold, their eyes set with rubies. lüs inscriptions, that extend to the tip; the words on one side
Gold inlay, which stands in relief, is also applied to the foli- state that the piece was made for the Hazine of the sultan
age enclosing the creatures. The metal in the background and and praises him, and those on the other side give his name
on the visible portions of the dragon has been blackened. The together with the date. A cartouche on the spine encloses the
two sides of the blade show variations in the floral scrolls and name of the maker. 83
configurations of the protagonists, indicating that they were The yatagan is a unique piece that reaches the epitome of
worked separately. technical and artistic virtuosity, and includes a rich and un-

Detail of blade, 86