tughra
Sign in to saveThe first Ottoman tughra, Orhan (1326).|thumb|right A tughra (; ) is a calligraphic monogram, seal or signature of a sultan that was affixed to all official documents and correspondence. Inspired by the tamgha, it was also carved on his seal and stamped on the coins minted during his reign. Very elaborate decorated versions were created for important documents that were also works of art in the tradition of Ottoman illumination, such as the example of Suleiman the Magnificent in the gallery below.
Article
7 sectionsContents
- Etymology
- Visual elements of a tughra
- Tughras of the Ottoman sultans
- Other tughras
- Post-imperial interpretations
- References
- External links
The first Ottoman tughra, Orhan (1326).|thumb|right A tughra (; ) is a calligraphic monogram, seal or signature of a sultan that was affixed to all official documents and correspondence. Inspired by the tamgha, it was also carved on his seal and stamped on the coins minted during his reign. Very elaborate decorated versions were created for important documents that were also works of art in the tradition of Ottoman illumination, such as the example of Suleiman the Magnificent in the gallery below.
The tughra was designed at the beginning of the sultan's reign and drawn by the court calligrapher or nişancı on written documents. The first tughra examples are from the 14th century.