Three Istanbul Youths in Two Miniatures: Elements of Youth Costumes in 17th-Century Market Paintings

Abstract

Various elements of clothing and costumes of three Istanbul youths represented in two 17th-century miniatures are also mentioned in poetry of the same period. The miniatures are found in an Ottoman miniature album kept in the John Rylands Library, Manchester, England. By using relevant data from period poetry, we determine several elements of youth fashion, such as Atlas kaftan and salvar (silk sateen kaftan and shalwar), civankasi sarik (jiwaankashi turban), kerrake (a type of surcoat), sevayi kaftan (type of silk kaftan), and Levendane and Abaza styles (types of slim-cut dresses). This analysis emphasizes the significance of the relationship between poetry and painting.