500-year-old prayer rugs belonging to Topkapı Palace prepared for exhibition
Six historical 500-year-old prayer rugs, whose conservation was completed in the National Palaces workshop, have been fixed onto special panels for museum exhibitions.
As a result of the work carried out at the National Palaces Carpet Restoration and Conservation Workshop in Istanbul, the conservation process of six historical 500-year-old prayer rugs in the inventory of Topkapı Palace has been successfully completed, and the artifacts have been placed on special panels for exhibition.
Conservation Process Completed
Operating within the Yıldız Şale compound in Beşiktaş, Istanbul, the National Palaces Carpet Restoration and Conservation Workshop continues to protect valuable artifacts belonging to the palace collections.
Within the scope of the latest work carried out at the workshop, the conservation procedures for six historical prayer rugs belonging to Topkapı Palace were meticulously completed.
Works from the Safavid and Bergama Periods
It is known that three of the prayer rugs examined by experts were woven in Safavid lands in the 16th century and presented as a gift to the palace.
The collection also features a special example woven in Bergama in the 16th century, which is known to have been depicted in the works of Renaissance painters.
Religious Motifs and Inscription Program
On the prayer rugs belonging to the Safavid period, there are verses from the Holy Quran as well as religious expressions and special inscription programs.
Featuring verses from the chapters of Baqarah, Nur, and Fath, the artifacts draw attention with their high craftsmanship quality and original colors.
Fixed onto Special Panels
Conservation was applied to the artifacts—instead of completion—to preserve their current state due to their fragile structures, and they were prepared to prevent any damage.
Following the completed procedures, the six historical prayer rugs were stitched and fixed onto special panels to be exhibited in designated areas.
Difference Between Restoration and Conservation
Experts state that only conservation is applied to fragile artifacts with low durability, and that the original structure is strictly not altered.
It is stated that for carpets with larger dimensions and missing sections, restoration processes can take up to a year and a half.
Transfer to Future Generations
Established in 2007 and operating in Yıldız Şale since 2011, the workshop continues its activities to protect palace carpets.
An expert team of eight people continues their work to transfer historical textiles to future generations without disrupting their original structure.