^{#smrgKİTABEVİ} Skill of the Hand Delight of the Eye: Ottoman Embroideries in the Sadberk Hanım Museum Collection -

Sadberk Hanim Museum's outstanding embroidery collection goes on display in December at the 'Skill of the Hand Delight of the Eye' exhibition Vehbi Koc Foundation's Sadberk Hamm Museum opened in 1980 as Turkey's first private museum. Since then the museum has continued to gather the most exquisite examples of Ottoman period embroideries, creating a collection of exceptional diversity and breadth. Curated by Hi:Ilya Bilgi and idil Zanbak, the 'Skill of the Hand Delight of the Eye' exhibition, accompanied by a lavishly illustrated exhibition catalogue, includes 167 textiles of different types worked in a wide range of needlework techniques that illustrate the richness and diversity of the embroideries that were such an essential part of Ottoman life. Through these selected pieces, visitors to the exhibition will gain insight into the story of Ottoman embroideries over a period of over 300 years, between the 17th and early 20th centuries.

Embroidery is one of the oldest of the decorative arts, and changes in style over the centuries parallel those of other Ottoman arts such as fabrics, tiles and metalwork. Whether at magnificent palace ceremonies or in the activities of ordinary daily life, embroideries served a myriad of functions for Ottoman people. Ranging from items of clothing to military equipment, embroidery was widely used to decorate artefacts of many different kinds, enabling embroidery to develop as a separate trade and the production of exquisite masterpieces that can be regarded as works of art. Craftsmen and craftswomen poured their skill and creativity into finely worked artefacts embroidered with beautiful designs reminiscent of imaginary flower gardens. Using silk thread and gold and silver wire, embroideries in a thousand and one colours and compositions can be seen at Sadberk Hamm Museum between 7 December 2012 and 26 May 2013.