The Ottomans / Art in the Spaces of Prayer

‘Qur’an stands, wooden boxes and minbars were where Islam and the place of prayer met on the artistic level.’

While sunlight passed through the stained-glass windows in which there were dozens of colourful flowers and which illuminated the mosque interior, hanging glass oil-lamps decorated with imperial symbols and verses from the Qur’an added to the effect. Prayer rugs and carpets, whose designs were drawn-up in the palace atelier, were remarkable for the similarity of their patterns to those on the tiles decorating the walls. Qur’an stands, wooden boxes where the Qur’an was kept, and minbars were other items where Islam and the place of prayer met on the artistic level.

NameDynastyDetailsJustification
Stucco stained-glass windowHegira 12th century / AD 18th centuryOttomanIslamic Museum, al-Aqsa Mosque / al-Haram al-Sharif
Jerusalem
Stained-glass windows were produced to illuminate the interior of the sacred space with colourful lights.
Mosque lampAround hegira 963 / AD 1557OttomanVictoria and Albert Museum
London, England, United Kingdom
A decorative ceramic oil-lamp to illuminate the sacred hall.
Qur'an cabinetHegira first half of the 10th century / AD 16th centuryOttomanMuseum of Turkish and Islamic Arts
Sultanahmet, Istanbul, Turkey
A box used for storing the Qur'an. Such receptacles are peculiar to Islamic art, enriching the beauty of the mosque interior.
Triptych with 'hilya-i-sherif' (noble description)Hegira 12th century / AD 18th centuryOttoman periodMuseum of Civilisations | Museum of Oriental Art "Giuseppe Tucci"
Rome, Italy
The Hilye describes and commemorates the earthly and moral features of the Prophet Muhammad in a literary way. This example is interesting for its elaborately decorated shutters.
Prayer bookHegira 12th century / AD 18th centuryOttomanMuseum of Mediterranean and Near Eastern Antiquities (Medelhavsmuseet)
Stockholm, Sweden
An example of an Islamic book in which sacred personalities and events are described and illustrated.