Żygulski, Zdzisław: Ottoman art in the service of the empire (New York, NY [u.a.], 1992)

In this state system art and architecture piayed a substantial role.
The Ottomans followed the patterns of their predecessors, adapting
as they saw fit certain practices of the Greeks, Romans, Byzantines,
Persians, and Armenians. Ottoman architecture reached its apogee
in the creation of the great mosques with all their annexes, in the
complex foundations of sultans (AM/Ziyc), and in the great palaces
AruY/yd.
In estimating the value art and architecture had for the Ottoman
state, I am going to concentrate in this study on the minor arts, in
which many traditional, still nomadic, features were used to serve
the idea of empire—and in which a very high level of craft technol-
ogy and great invention were found. All this led to the establishment
of a unique Ottoman Empire style for ensigns, dress, arms, armor,
tents, and various other objects. The main outward purpose of this
style was to furnish the state with the richest and most colorful
vestments, bearing numerous inner meanings, understandable to the
faithful but bewildering or frightening to the enemy. These phe-
nomena have only rarely been the subject of deeper study and reflec-
tion. They are often completely ignored in general books on Turkish
art and culture.
Any first attempt to examine these problems must remain far from
conclusive. Many questions remain unanswered, the key to exact
explanations being still hidden in the vast archives of Istanbul and
other cities. Not being averse to discussion and criticism, I shall be
happy if this book forms one step on the long way to a better
understanding of an obscure past, one that we perhaps can never
fully comprehend.
ZDZISCAW ZYGULSKI, JR.

xii