Turkish Delight IV - Miniatures and replicas of Istanbul

Mutlu Yillar...Happy New Year...Ok Ok...I missed the boat, January is almost done and February is just round the corner. So maybe my new year wish is more apt for the Chinese now since they're going to celebrate the Chinese new year beginning second week of February. So..how was your new year celebration? Did you say that you spent the evening burning your previous year's resolution? My...my...why am I not surprised...

Well..at least I'm keeping to my words by writing this post. I did promised you the series on this,right? Aha...i have not broken my previous resolution, i.e to keep my words when I promised. Boy...I wish I hadn't...it is so $#%*! difficult to do so! Grumble grumble grumble.....

For those of you who have traveled to Istanbul (or Turkey), I am sure that you would realise that apart from the beautiful and colorful porcelains, Turkey too have wonderful glass and crystal pieces. I understand that this is made possible due to its abundant minerals and other stones. Turkey's(golden and green)  Onyx is much sought after, and it's marble is second to none. If you paid more attention to their vintage buildings, you'll realise that almost all the floors and walls are constructed of either marble or onyx. Especially the remarkable hamams. And these marbles mostly came from the Marmara ( Istanbul ) area. Not surprising as "Marmar" means marble in Turkce. There's  a hotel in Bursa that has its vanity sink carved out of a solid piece of beautiful marble. It's just plain..... luxurious !!

On top of that, Turkey is also the world largest producer of Boron (93% world output) , a mineral used in many things including in making glasses (and crystal)...and into making that LCD glass display of your tablets! Are you impressed already? So..where am I going with this? Remember...we were talking about glass and crystal? Ahh.... you're still having the hangover from the New year celebration?? Wakey..wakey....

Let me cut to the chase, when in Istanbul (or Turkey) go to their glassware specialty shop called Pasabahce (pronounced Pashabahche).  Look out for their " historical collection " gallery. It's a spot where they'll display the Limited Edition pieces based on historical buildings or shapes and specially created miniature pieces captured from famous or significant objects. If you were with kids or impatient companions, deposit or dump them somewhere for a couple of hours, 'cos you gonna need those few hours, believe me!

I can assure you that, you would be sitting at one corner, looking at each and every pieces and just continue looking. And that is after you've made a few rounds of the gallery, not a care in the world of who is beside you...who cares if it's Cindy Crawford!! Or Brad Pitt !!!

It is as if you're in a Gallery but this time, you can touch the pieces while admiring them and they are soooo magnificent!! Each and every pieces of them. And each pieces tell a story ... and what amazing stories they are !! Ohh.. if only our history teachers could be more imaginative and teach us history with interesting pieces to pique our interest and imagination.....

Feast your eyes on these collections. But these are only a few of many that you can view at the gallery. There are more exquisite pieces and are out of this world !!! and bear in mind that they are all limited collections and no more than 2000 pieces were created of each designs. And I must confess....the actual pieces are more exquisite than these photos....i think my lighting are all wrong...what a shame..sigh.... nonetheless, let's start the new year with something beautiful, shall we? I know, I know.. you do that every morning, when you look in the mirror........chill people......the year has just begun !!!!!

Kubbe (the Dome) from the Istanbul Historical Collection. This lilac piece is  a miniaturised version of the wall and dome found in Hagia Sophia. It is actually a candle holder but of course....with such a beautiful piece, who would wana light the candle and ruin it's glass?

The grand Haghia Sophia. This is what this miniature is trying to replicate...

See if the miniature managed to replicate the grand master ...

From this angle, maybe ??

A dome inside Haghia Sophia....

A 3-D effect of the creation. The Stabilo (pen) is there to give scale to the whole piece.  

The back portion of " the Dome" candle holder. this piece comes complete with 2 pieces of lilac colored candle. The magnificent Hagia Sophia's interior was replicated through several other miniatures and you can read more on other products (reproductions) at THIS e-CATALOG  or the website HERE

The domes of Sultan Ahmed camii ( or The Blue Mosque) in Istanbul

The effect of the blue tiles inside the mosque gave it it's name, The Blue Mosque.

Closed up view of the dome that the following miniature is trying to replicate...

View inside the Blue Mosque. It is still being used today and would be closed for tourist during certain prayers time, unless you want to perform your prayers there. 

Another view inside the mosque, during it's quiet day....

The Sedefkar vaso. This vase depicts the beautiful and intricate detailing inside the Sultan Ahmed Mosque or more popularly known as The Blue Mosque (due to the effect of the blue tiles inside the mosque). The indented detailing on the vase is their interpretation of the details found on the dome of the Blue Mosque. 

The 3-D effect of the vase. It's  a beautiful handmade smoke tinted glass and 

the embossed patterns adorning the piece have been

handcrafted using platinum gilding

Closed up detail of the 'dome' of the Blue Mosque.

A water kiosk or fountain inside the Topkapi Palace. They are almost always made of marble or even onyx. and adorned with gilded gold on the metals.

This is however, a Sadirvan for ablution. The muslims will cleanse themselves here before they go inside the mosque to perform their prayers. This was at the courtyard the Blue Mosque. But the construction is almost similar to the water fountain

Water kiosk and fountain vase. Nowadays, people talk about about Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) or even Corporate Social Value (CSV) when corporations try to do their part for the society. Centuries ago, the Ottoman Sultans and Sultanas and even the Viziers were already doing their part for the societies. These water kiosks and/or fountains were built under their instructions and serve as a place for normal people to quench their thirst or even for ablution or for other purposes. How very civilised !!! 

Paşaçeşmesi Vase is handmade glass and the 

embossed patterns adorning the piece were made 

using 24 K handcrafted gilding.

The miniature fountain figures and the window 

network on both sides on the vase are handcrafted 

from bronze metal.

An Iznik Denizli water pitcher. This is not part of the Collection but nonetheless, it still is a great piece. It depicts how important the  marine and sea activities are to them. Being flanked by The Black Sea, The Marmara Sea, The Golden Horn and The Bosphorus, life in Istanbul (and Turkey) centers a lot on sea and its marine and had been so for the past centuries.

As was mentioned in my previous postings, Turkey played an active part in the Silk Road (Route) and in fact, Bursa (about 2 hour drive from Istanbul) was the last leg (journey) of the Silk Road and you can see still many caravasaray (caravan park) where these traders used to stay while doing their trades. And that explain a lot on why Chinese influence could be seen at many places, especially where the porcelain and pottery industries are concerned. The Turks were sent by the Ottoman Sultans to China to learn the art of making potteries and porcelains. And later on, the Turks made their own trademark designs and process.

Nice, don't you think?

Another famous Iznik tiles depicting a famous lale (tulips) inspired garment worn by the Ottoman Sultans and other important people. Sorry about the photo but  you should be able to see the beautiful glaze that only an Iznik tiles can offer. That is why, anything of Iznik tiles would be much more expensive than the normal porcelain and tiles that you see in the shops. 

You can see many original garments like this being displayed at The Topkapi Palace museum. And lale or tulips are one of the most popular motifs of all times. 

The Nars Bowl. Pomegranates have been used as symbol of fertility, plenitude and wealth in many different cultures and geographies. In Anatolia pomegranates have been one of the important images and they have symbolized plenitude from antiquity to the present

The town of Side, meaning ‘pomegranate’ in the local dialect of the ancient Anatolians, used the pomegranate image as a symbol of the town from the Classical Period to the reign of
the Roman Empire. Thus, the name of the town is identical to the type of coins they produced. The coins themselves seem to almost speak the name of the town.

The Pomegranate Bowl is made of handmade red glass. All the patterns on the object have been hand-decorated with 24 carat gold gilt.

The Pomegranate Bowl, in the “Talking Coins”, bears the images of six coins minted during the various eras of the town of Side applied onto glass as a pattern. The body of the bowl
has been decorated with floral motifs usually seen in ancient Greek and Roman art






The Pomegranate Bowl is made of handmade red glass. All the patterns on the object have been hand-decorated with 24 carat gold gilt.

 Yedikapi Vaso - Seven Gate Vase
Handmade glass vase in caramel color decorated with gold gilding

In various cultures, it is believed that the human soul leaves the body and ascends to Heaven. This ascession  is often represented symbolically by the concept of the " Seven Gates" through which the soul has to transcend. The shedding of of a layer of clothing at each gate, and coming out naked  at the end symbolizes  the salvation of the soul from earthly and materialistic qualities, finally being ready to to be re-born in the spiritual realm. *

View from the top

The design of Yedikapi Vaso has been imspired by the concept of seven "planes/levels" of existence in different cultures, which has been symbolized by depictions of various Anatolian portl motifs. *

"Halic Isi" ( Golden Horn Work) style on blue and white Iznik ceramics production. This pattern was formed by small leaves and floral design s winding around branches applied on opal - glass. Some people said that the winding design actually depict the 'whirlpool' effect of the water at the Golden Horn.

The Halic Isi Dipper are handmade of opal glass with handmade reliefs on it. Circa 1535 - 1545 *

This exotic vase or jug is not part of the Pasabahce Collection. This is a replica of an original vase that is being displayed inside the Topkapi Palace meseum in Istanbul.  It is one of the many beautiful pieces displayed in the Palace museum for all to see when you visit the Topkapi Palace, which is open to the public.

The original Vase is made of black quartz and embellished with rubies, while the leaf motif if of real gold. It was actually a gift from *** (opppss...I can't remember now)  to the Ottoman Sultan. 

This replica is handmade from black quartz and the leaf motif  was gold gilded. The stones are crystal  and other physical  attributes are exactly the same as the original.

Another replica from the original bowl that is being displayed in the Topkapi Palace museum. The clear quartz is embellished with emeralds and rubies and the leaf motif is actually real gold. This bowl was also parts of the gifts collections displayed. It was  also a gift from someone to the Ottoman Sultan.

The Bowl is so exquisite and replica is an exact copy of the original, except that the stones crystals and the leaf motif is of gold gilded. But it is still sooo exquisite !! You gotta see it to appreciate its real beauty. It is much nicer when there is light shining through the bowl !!

Closed up view of the replica.

Another replica from the Topkapi Palace Museum collections. These beautiful golden bowl  was part of the gifts collection and is entirely of gold on quartz.

I'm afraid I don't have much detail on this bowl except that the replica is exactly the same with the original. But it certainly is a beautiful piece to look at.  The golden hue really add magic to the bowl.

Closed up view of the golden bowl

Talismanic objects  intended to preserve the owner from misfortune or evil eye, and bring health and good luck have been used for thousands of years, as they still are today.

The Shifa Bowl . My all time favorite, and that's why I kept it for the last! Islam and medicine had always been together and many mysteries of medicines, diseases and the fact of the Universe can be found in the Quran. The Muslims believe that God had promised that all diseases (in this world) have it's corresponding anti-dote or remedies or medicines. It's for human to search for all the remedies and mostly all would resort to the use of the Quran for healing.

This Syifa Bowl is a replica of the bowl actually used in Turkey for traditional healing. Holy water that was poured into this bowl would either be drunk or bathe with. The bowl is full of inscriptions and symbols found in the original bowls used by the Turks and it include the Esma-i- Husna  (beautiful names of Allah), the words "Ya-Kafi" "Ya-Shafi" "O He who heals, he who intercedes" and "Ya alemu-l alemin" (O He who is wisest in the universe), all in the nesih script.

The Syifa Bowl are hand made from glass and all the relief designs are hand-gilded using real 24 carat gold leaf.

There are 99 beautiful names of God and they are all inscribed inside this Syifa Bowl, plus other inscriptions and symbols

Look at the beautiful translucent but opaque finish of the bowl. I know, I'm contradicting myself but think of it as a Ying and Yang kinda thing. I'm so sorry but the photo really do not do justice to it 

Err...if these collections have somehow woken up the artistic in you and you think that you might wana know more of these exquisite collections, you can browse on their website HERE. And if like me, you too were smitten by these collections....well....Istanbul would be truly nice to visit in June till October before it gets to be too cold. These collections are just a few hours away....by your Airlines of course!!

Go to Istanbul, get one or two of these pieces and bring home a piece of  history back to your home...
Sweet dream my readers....... wherever you are.....