Ottoman Embroidery with Chintamani-Motifs

Ottoman Embroidery with Chintamani-Motifs
192 x 133 cm (6' 4" x 4' 4")
Turkey, 17th century
Condition: according to age, several small flaws backed with fabric, several small old repairs, minimally stained
Provenance: Ex-collection of Dr. Wilhelm von Schlag, Vienna
Supposed to have been captured during the 2nd Ottoman siege of Vienna by Count Sigbert Heister (1646 - 1718)
Exhibited in the castle museum Aichberg from 1996 - 2022
Silk on linen

This Ottoman quilt cover is believed to have been captured by Sigbert Count Heister (1646-1718) during the second siege of Vienna in 1683 by Ottoman armies. The dates are correct as typically this embroidered is of the design and quality that is associated with the output of Istanbul's professional embroidery workshops in the late 17th century.
Used as a quilt cover, this embroidery reflects the designs and colours used on the complex woven silks embellished with metal thread used in the Ottoman court, with white and yellow silk being used to specifically mimic the silver and gilt-metal the richer woven textiles.
Since textiles were an important part of everyday life in Ottoman society, used to decorate prestigious items and as a means of display wealth, status and women's skill, one would expect soldiers to have many items of embroidery with them, and thus the connection with the Ottoman armies last stand in Europe has much to recommend it.
There are textiles in MAK in Vienna with such a provenance.
This textile was in the collection of Dr. Wilhelm von Schlag, Vienna, and was exhibited in Schlossmuseum Aichberg (1996 – 2022).

Estimate: € 20000 - 30000