Customer Reviews

Empire of the Sultans: Ottoman Art from the Khalili Collection

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I have attended "Empire of the Sultans" exhibition in San Francisco's Asian Art Museum multiple times. The new catalog has many helpful historical overviews which will help to orient the reader in rich history of Ottoman Empire and Islam. I was mostly impressed with maps, cutout calligraphy, illustrated prayer calendars, and calligraphy on dry leaves. Some of the scrolls of edicts from the time of zenith of Ottoman power (Suleiman the Magnificent) are executed in a wonderfully restrained style with just the hint of color and gold dust. A reader will have a great time with this catalog!

This is a very impressive catalog of the Nasser D. Khalili collection of Ottoman art. Mr. Khalili made an effort to collect the full range of Ottoman art, starting with the art the Ottomans themselves found most prestigious: calligraphy and the art of the book. Western eyes (mine included) have been drawn more to ceramics and textiles, and the Khalili collection doesn't stint on those. Mr. Khalili clearly brought a connoisseur's eye and a rich man's deep pockets to his collection.

The book is beautifully designed and produced, and the photographic reproductions are uniformly excellent. Plus, at the moment, you can buy the book for $11.50! An amazing bargain -- I'll be buying a copy myself. Don't miss.

Happy reading (and viewing, and salivating...),
Peter D. Tillman