Embroidered Garden: Ottoman Textiles from the Borg Collection

The large imperial garments and carpets produced in the Ottoman Empire are renowned as a pinnacle in the history of textile production. However, this exhibition at the Pergamonmuseum in Berlin (16 December–16 April 2023), drawn from the Borg Collection held by the Berlin State Museums, focuses instead on domestic fabrics to explore a lesser-known aspect of Ottoman craftsmanship between the 16th and 19th centuries. Highly decorative towels and sashes – woven at home, and embellished with gold or silver thread – often formed an essential part of a young woman’s dowry. Stylised floral patterns introduced in the 16th century remained popular throughout the 18th century, as demonstrated in the exhibition by ornately decorated serviettes bearing pomegranates and hyacinth motifs. Later works, such as a towel embroidered with houses and gardens from the late 18th century, reveal aspects of European and Chinese influence. Find out more on the Pergamonmuseum’s website.

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Towel (c. 18th–19th century), Turkey. Photo: © Claus Uhlendorf

Napkin embroidered with pomegranate and hyacinth motifs (late 18th century), Turkey. Photo: © Claus Uhlendorf

Embroidered towel (late 18th century), Turkey. Borg Collection, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin. Photo: © Claus Uhlendorf