The drawings of the superstitious and complex objects in the Ottoman arts

Document Type : Original Article

Author

PhD Islamic Archeology Faculty of Arts - Ain Shams University

Abstract

The forms of superstitious objects appeared extensively on the Ottoman decorative arts, which varied in shapes and types, which were usually not embossed as an independent subject, but were shown alongside the drawings of the real animals. The artist depicted these animals as a real element in nature. Artfully attested by the ability of the Islamic artist to draw.
They found their ends, because one of the criteria of Islamic art is modification and abstraction, so they welcomed it but did not retain its symbolic meaning as much as it was purely decorative.
One of the most important superstitious objects that appeared in Ottoman art: the shape of the dragon and phoenix, and the drawing of the snake whose tail appears knotted.
The composite objects are in the form of an animal with a human head and the body of a lion (Sphinx), as well as the drawing of a bird with a human face, as well as the form of an animal standing on its hind legs and hold in his hand fruit, or play on a musical instrument.
It seems that these superstitious animals found on the Ottoman art products moved to it from Iranian art - which was influenced by Chinese art - through the transmission of artistic influences that occurred during the Ottoman conquests, and the transfer of many Iranian artists to the Ottoman territories and work for them.