Turban cover, silk embroidery on linen
Turkey; 2nd half of 16th century

Davids Samling/The David Collection, Copenhagen

H: 119; W: 124 cm
This incredibly fine embroidery was built up symmetrically over two axes. The motif is local Turkish flora, with tulips, carnations, hyacinths, and cypresses – a realm of motifs that also became modern for woven textiles and ceramics in the mid-16th century. Earlier, Chinese flora had dominated.

The quality of the embroidery is so high that it was presumably made in one of the court workshops in Istanbul. Traces of a drawn pattern can still be seen under the embroidery.

The square shape and rich decoration make it likely that this was a cover for a well-to-do Turk’s ceremonial turban – kavuk – which was so complicated that once it had been wound, it was sewn together.

Inv. no. 17/1994