The Metropolitan Museum of Art - Tughra (Official Signature) of Sultan Süleiman the Magnificent (r. 1520–66)

Tughra (Official Signature) of Sultan Süleiman the Magnificent (r. 1520–66)

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Tughra (Official Signature) of Sultan Süleiman the Magnificent (r. 1520–66)

Object Name:: Tughra
Reign:: Sultan Suleiman (1520–66)
Date:: ca. 1555–60
Geography:: Turkey, Istanbul
Medium:: Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
Dimensions:: H. 20 1/2 in. (52.1 cm) W. 25 3/8 in. (64.5 cm) Mat: 25 x 30 in. (63.5 x 76.2 cm)
Classification:: Codices
Credit Line:: Rogers Fund, 1938
Accession Number:: 38.149.1

This artwork is not on display

Description

Raised to a high art form within the Ottoman chancery, the tughra served as the official seal of the sultan. Affixed to every royal edict, this stylized signature is an intricate calligraphic composition comprising the name of the reigning sultan, his father’s name, his title, and the phrase "the eternally victorious." Its bold, gestural line contrasts with the delicate swirling vine-scroll illumination used to ornament the seal.
Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Inscription: The calligraphy in Turkish is translated as: "Suleiman, son of Selim Khan, ever victorious." Below, in gold, it reads: "This is the noble, exalted, brilliant sign-manual, the world-illuminating and adoring cipher of the Khaqan [may it be made efficient by the aid of the Lord and the protection of the Eternal]. His order is that [...]"
Provenance

[ E. Beghian, London, until 1938; sold to MMA]
See also
What
Metal (59,548)

Ink (28,085)

Paper (23,808)

Gold (12,589)

Watercolors (11,521)

Manuscripts (1,795)

Codices (1,173)

Tugra (2)
Where
Asia (68,010)

Turkey (1,727)

Marmara (243)

Istanbul (104)
When
A.D. 1400-1600 (20,173)
In the Museum
Islamic Art (12,511)
Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History
The Art of the Ottomans before 1600

The Age of Süleyman "the Magnificent" (r. 1520–1566)

The Nature of Islamic Art

Vegetal Patterns in Islamic Art

Balkan Peninsula, 1400–1600 A.D.

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