Decoupage work, colored, embossed cardboard and feathers

The Ottoman court’s interest in decoupage work goes back to the second half of the 16th century. This special technique was mastered right into the 19th century by a few specialized artists, and in contrast to miniature painting, the output was fairly small. The preferred motifs were flowers and gardens, which were created from many little pieces of colored paper and cardboard.

One of the garden’s elements – birds – was chosen as the main motif here, and the use of real feathers together with embossed cardboard for the cock’s feet and comb, among other things, makes this monumental depiction especially lifelike. The birds are framed by a large-patterned mat, crowned by a colorful mirror-image inscription: Muhammad.