Observations on the Colors of Gifts Presented to Foreign Envoys and Rulers by the Early Modern Ottoman Court: Red and Yellow Hues on Furnishings, Textiles, and Robes

Abstract

Color preferences and symbolism are among the rarely-studied subjects in early modern Ottoman cultural history. The scattered nature of sources—archival, narrative, and visual—that provide information on this matter is one reason behind this neglect. Another reason for the neglect is the challenge of observing a systematic pattern, given the significance of time-based changes. This paper intends to provide substantial information on color preferences at the early modern Ottoman court by focusing specifically on one particular court ceremonial: receptions given to foreign envoys between the 1680s and 1800s. The paper will begin with a brief introduction to color symbolism in Islamic geographies and Ottoman court ceremonies. It will then discuss the colors frequently used for furnishings adorning reception halls, luxury robes, and other types of textile gifts given to envoys and sent to their rulers, using archival, narrative, and visual sources. Finally, the paper will provide commentary on the potential meanings associated with these commonly used colors at the Ottoman court.