Sanat Tarihi Yıllığı

Öz

19th century, in general, is defi ned as a period of Westernization of the

Ottoman Empire. While reform movement can be seen in all aspects of the

Empire, it also triggered changes in pleasure and aesthetics in the Ottoman

daily life. With the introduction of new objects such as textile, furniture,

decorative ornaments, kitchen appliances to the palace life also found

place in the Ottoman daily life by changing the overall decoration and introducing

trendy objects as well as functional ones to the palaces. The aim

of this study is to identify the sources of Ottoman palaces’ new furniture.

The sultans personal libraries at Dolmabahçe and Yıldız palaces contain

catalogues about the newly introduced furniture styles. Also a notebook

containing the list of all catalogues of the Yıldız Palace, which is currently

at the Archive of Prime Ministry, suggests that the Sultan is personally

involved in the choosing process of the palace furniture. These catalogues

not only contained the highly fashionable furniture of the date but also the

source of all the other objects and materials used in the Ottoman Palaces.

In this study primarily the mentioned catalogues are used. Catalogues are

in the Dolmabahçe Palace Library of Caliph Abdülmecid.