The Ottoman Empire is vast and rich in history and rulers. The following information is in no way comprehensive or authoritative. It is meant to offer flavor and insight into the world and people that created the embroideries on view at The Textile Museum. Historical Overview The capture of Bursa from the Byzantine Empire in 1326 by Orhan brought a change to the character of the nomadic border principality in western Anatolia which became known as the Ottoman Empire. It became a real government with boundaries, a settled population and a capital. The Ottoman forces crossed the Dardanelles to Thrace for the first time during this period establishing a permanent base in Gallipoli. Expansion into European land continued with vigor until Beyazit I's reign. After a devastating defeat in 1402, the Ottoman Empire spiraled into a decade of civil strife. But the proceeding sultans (rulers) restored stability. In the spring of 1453, Mehmed, known as Fatih (the Conqueror), led the Ottoman forces in their conquest of Constantinople, capital of the Byzantine Empire. Süleyman, the greatest of all Ottoman sultans, ascended to the throne in 1520. He reigned for 46 years, becoming the longest-ruling Ottoman sultan. By the beginning of the 17th century, the Ottoman Empire included North Africa, the Middle East, the Balkans, and Eastern Europe. The Empire ended in 1923 with the establishment of the Republic of Turkey. The Ottoman House Exterior An Ottoman house was generally a large dwelling for an extended family and servants. Flanked by a narrow cobbled street on one side and by gardens on the other three sides, Ottoman houses were built of wood and usually were two to three stories high. Most houses had a projecting upper story where the main rooms were located to offer a breeze on hot summer days or to provide a view. For privacy, the street side of the house had fewer windows. These windows were covered with wooden lattices preventing outside eyes from peering in while still allowing air to circulate. The back of the house was much more open with windows and balconies which opened onto gardens filled with sweet-smelling flowers, mulberry, acacia, and cypress trees. Interior The interior plan of the house was simple. The lower floor contained the kitchen, servant quarters and storage rooms. Stairs led to a large hall on the second floor. At least two other large rooms opened to this central hall. One of the rooms was called haremlik (women's quarters) and the other, selamlik (men's quarters). Other smaller rooms opened onto these rooms or onto the entrance hall. Depending on the wealth of the owner, both the sizes of rooms and their numbers varied. The main rooms of both the haremlik and selamlik were surrounded on three sides by divans (couches). Windows behind the divans opened onto the gardens. Cushions rested against the wall or were scattered at intervals along the divans. Finely embroidered with colorful silk and metallic threads depicting flowers, these cushions created another garden inside the house. Shelves, made of wood or inlaid wood, were placed along the fourth wall or flanking the divans. These shelves contained objects such as supplies for the coffee service, which were not only ornamental but also useful. If the owner was wealthy enough to afford a summer and a winter room, the summer room contained a small fountain and the winter room had a fireplace. Fireplaces were often decorated with ceramic tiles or covered with richly embroidered textiles. Museum Background | Ottoman Empire | Ottoman Embroidery Back to Background © 2001, The Textile Museum, 2320 S Street, NW; Washington, DC 20008