by Lady Sof’ia Dolgorukaia

On a recent visit to Istanbul, Turkey, I visited the Topkapi Palace, home of the Ottoman Sultans from the 15th to the 19th Century. The Palace had an exhibit “The Sultan Costume Collection.” The exhibit included extant clothing worn by the Sultans, their wives, and their children. 

Below are some photos of the collection. 

Fur-lined Kaftan Ottoman, Second half of the 15th century. Silk (either of Timour or Turkmen/Akkoyunlu origin), fur. Belonged to Mehmed the Conqueror (r. 1451-1481). Topkapi Palace: The Sultan Costume Collection

Kaftan Ottoman, third quarter of the 16th century. Silk and cotton blend. Belonged to Sultan Selim II (r. 1566-1574). Topkapi Palace: The Sultan Costume Collection

Boots Ottoman, second half of the 16th century. Leather, silk threat, silk, metal. From the tomb of Sultan Selim II (r. 1566-1574). Topkapi Palace: The Sultan Costume Collection

Trousers Ottoman, second half of the 16th century. Silk and cotton blend. Topkapi Palace: The Sultan Costume Collection

Ceremonial Kaftan Ottoman, second half of the 16th century. Silk (Italian). Belonged to Sultan Murad III (r. 1574-1595). Topkapi Palace: The Sultan Costume Collection

	Fur-lined Kaftan Ottoman, second half of the 16th century. Silk, fur. Belonged to Sultan Murad III (r. 1574-1595). Topkapi Palace: The Sultan Costume Collection

Talismanic Shirt Ottoman, H. Muharrem 1, 990 (C.E. January 26, 1582). Cotton, ink gold leaf, paint/dye. Belonged to Sultan Murad III. Topkapi Palace: The Sultan Costume Collection	Talismanic Shirt Ottoman, H. 972 (C.E. 1564-1565). Cotton and silk blend, ink, gold leaf. Belonged to Suleyman the Magnificent’s son Selim. Topkapi Palace: The Sultan Costume Collection

Cap Ottoman, mid-17th century. Silk. Belonged to Sultan Murad IV’s daughter Ayşe Sultan. Robe Ottoman, mid-17th century. Silk (Italian) and cotton blend. Belonged to Sultan Murad IV’s daughter Ayşe Sultan. Topkapi Palace: The Sultan Costume Collection

Other photos from the exhibit can be found on my website: https://sites.google.com/view/sofiadolgorukaia/visual-research/topkapi-palace-museum/topkapi-palace-clothing