Monday, November 19, 2007

Turkish Tents



After reading and posting last week about the Turkish tent inspired room designed by Renzo Mongiardino, I decided to learn more about these exotic structures. So, here is a *brief* history lesson (and I don't think you'll need that shot of espresso to get through this!).

The early Turks were a nomadic people who lived in ornate tents that were derived from yurts. This choice of abode later influenced the Ottoman armies, which were known for traveling with elaborate war tents. As the Ottoman empire expanded, and as their wealth grew, the tents became even more intricate and were often influenced by Byzantine and Persian designs. Many of them were quite luxurious (especially those built for the sultans) with elaborate fabric hangings and furnishings inside. Fortunately for us a few of these Ottoman tents survive, such as that at Wawel Royal Castle in Krakow.

In time, the exoticism and ornateness of these tents became a source of inspiration for the design of garden follies across Europe. One of the most famous is that built around 1760 at Painshill Park, Surrey, England. This tent was actually a quite sturdy structure with a brick floor, partial brick walls, and a wooden dome which supported the painted canvas. Although the original structure disappeared in the 19th c., it has now been rebuilt based on Henry Keene's original designs. Other Turkish tent inspired structures are also found at a few of the Swedish royal palaces.

Besides being an interesting history lesson, I think it is fascinating to see how these tents have inspired people through the ages. No, not many people are inclined to build a garden folly (although I wish more people would), and yes, the idea of that much fabric in one room (like Mongiardino's tented room) may intimidate some people. But there are so many other ways in which these relics of the past can influence us. Perhaps in our choice of textiles, or our use of color, or even the way we might apply a certain decorative motif. Sometimes, if we open our eyes and our minds, we can really be inspired by some of the most wonderful, and historical, things.



An authentic Turkish tent from the first half of the 17th c. It was a spoil of war from the Ottoman defeat at the Battle of Vienna in 1683. Now part of the textile collection at Wawel Royal Castle in Krakow, Poland.


Henry Keene's design for a Turkish Tent at Painshill Park, Surrey, c. 1760 (the drawing is part of the collection of the Victoria and Albert)


The restored and rebuilt Turkish Tent at Painshill Park (photographer Antony McCallum)


The Palace Guard's tent at Drottningholm Palace Park, Sweden. Built in the second half of the 18th c. (dates vary on the internet), the structure is made of painted copper.


Another copper, Turkish inspired tent at Haga Park, Sweden. It was built in 1787 to house both stables and guards.




I don't know if these tents, designed in 1971 by Maison Jansen for the celebration of the 2,500th anniversary of the founding of Persia, were inspired by Turkish tents, but this was a modern, luxurious, and glamorous treatment of temporary tent living. (Images from Jansen by James Archer Abbott, Acanthus Press).

Image at top: Franz Geffels painted "Battle of Vienna 1683" to depict the bloody battle. Notice the Turkish tents present.

25 comments:

  1. I'm bookmarking this one! Probably my favorite post you've ever done. Helpful background, really great images and I agree with all of your points.

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  2. Anonymous9:22 AM

    And don't forget the Turkish-style tent in the gardens of Château de Groussay, the country house of Franco-Mexican millionaire Carlos de Beistegui. It was modelled after the one at Drottingholm.

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  3. Thanks Courtney! I never know how far to go with the history lesson :)

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  4. Also I think Mary Mulcahy of Les Indiennes once had a tent, made from her fabric, at the back of her house..but I'm not positive.

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  5. Anon- No, I did not know that there was one at Château de Groussay. I wish I had b/c I would have included that- I'm off to find a picture on the web. Thank you!

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  6. Courtney- I love her fabric so I'm sure that looked amazing. How fun would it be to have one!

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  7. Anonymous10:41 AM

    I bet that's the first time the word "bloody" ever appeared in The Peak of Chic!

    -pt

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  8. PT- I bet you're right! :)

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  9. How fabulous! They are all so beautiful! I wish the wedding industry would take a look at these for inspiration. I would love to attend a party in any one of these chic tents!

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  10. HC- I agree- I wish I could have attended the Jansen designed party in Persepolis!

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  11. Very interesting post. I did not even about how many yards of fabric that RM tent must have taken. How extravagant!

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  12. BA- Extravagant indeed! But, it does look pretty fabulous.

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  13. Oh how beautiful! Wouldn't you just love to rent one for a big soiree...I think you should and invite us all :)

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  14. Kate- Now that's an idea! How fun! :)

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  15. Anonymous6:15 PM

    Tent fiends ... check out Raj Tent Club at rajtentclub.com ... also Parihar Tent Factory at parihartentfactory.com ... also the medieval tent offerings at Panther Primitives at pantherprimitives.com/medieval.html ... but the best tent source of all, for wonderful designs and fantastical shaps, is Tentsmiths, a manufacturer in New Hampshire, at tentsmiths.com ...

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  16. Anon- I was only familiar with Raj Tent, but not the others, so a big thank you! Fantastic!

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  17. A truly brilliant post!

    Cheers.

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  18. Jennifer - this is what blogging should be, perfection! as always.



    Joni

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  19. Anonymous9:11 PM

    Tentsmiths really is the best of them all ...

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  20. Aww, thanks Joni, as always ;)

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  21. What a fabulous post, I did not know the history of tents, but now I do! I agree with Habitually Chic, I'd love to attend a wedding in a tent like that! I do know that there is a company in Australia that did (maybe still does) create similar looking tents out of fabric for the (horse) races - makes those chic hats even more fabulous!

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  22. Very, very interesting - thanks for the history lesson! It was great to learn about these beautiful structures!!
    XO
    Anna

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  23. Suzy- The hats could give the tent a run for its money!

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  24. What a great post Jennifer! These structure in copper are amazing, and the tents are so beautiful. Not such a hardship to live/travel in one of these perhaps!

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