OTTOMAN EMBROIDERY

Judging by its shape and size this magnificent embroidery was intended to be a Yasik, or bolster cover. As it is in such fine condition one can assume it ended up fulfilling a different function.

Cotton rectangle worked along wide margin with eight bouquets of flowers tied with blue ribbons. All bouquets conforming to smaller rectangles and featuring blooming Fritillaria, a flower that originated in the Middle East.

The embroidery is extremely consistent, and the two-toned primary colors provide nice shading to the well-drawn and undulating design. Embroideries of such high quality were usually made by men in workshops in the cities of Bursa and Istanbul.