A firman (imperial decree), paper, written in Divani
Istanbul, Turkey; 981 H = 1573
L: 295; W: 56 cm
Inventory number 51/2002
The Ottoman imperial decree – firman – consists of the decree itself, frequently written in the chancellery script, Divani, with the signatures of the officials below and the signature of the ruling sultan in the form of an intricate tughra above.
The compact lowermost section of the tughra here holds the names of Sultan Selim II. The three distinctive upstrokes and beautifully illuminated, curving sections, in contrast, are found on all imperial tughras. The firmans from the reigns of Suleyman the Magnificent and his son Selim II are considered the most beautiful.
In this firman, Selim’s vizier, Mustafa Pasha, is given various holdings for his services.
The compact lowermost section of the tughra here holds the names of Sultan Selim II. The three distinctive upstrokes and beautifully illuminated, curving sections, in contrast, are found on all imperial tughras. The firmans from the reigns of Suleyman the Magnificent and his son Selim II are considered the most beautiful.
In this firman, Selim’s vizier, Mustafa Pasha, is given various holdings for his services.
