Abstract:

The 19th century, in general, is defi ned as a period of Westernization of the Ottoman Empire. While the reform movement can be seen in all aspects of the Empire, it also triggered changes in pleasure and aesthetics in the Ottoman daily life. With the introduction of new objects such as textile, furniture, decorative ornaments, kitchen appliances to the palace life also found place in the Ottoman daily life by changing the overall decoration and introducing trendy objects as well as functional ones to the palaces. The aim of this study is to identify the sources of Ottoman palaces' new furniture. The Sultans personal libraries at Dalmatian and Star palaces contain catalogues about the newly introduced furniture styles. Also a notebook containing the list of all catalogues of the Star Palace, which is currently at the Archive of Prime Ministry, suggests that the Sultan is personally involved in the choosing process of the palace furniture. These catalogues not only contained the highly fashionable furniture of the date but also the source of all the other objects and materials used in the Ottoman Palaces. In this study primarily the mentioned catalogues are used. Cataloges are in the Dolmabahçe Palace Library of Caliph Abdülmecid.

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