Storerooms of the Topkapi Palace

ilias · 13th December 2009, 12:41 PM

As I see from the images there is no big waist yet but it will be at the future.
I am sure that something will be done to save them!!!

mavi1970 · 13th December 2009, 02:46 PM

all I can say is wow. Been to the palace many times, and seen the dispayed collections, but never knew about these. Definately next summer when I am there I will ask if they can let me see these. Such a waste. I wonder what there is in the storage of the military museum, probably even more, but being under military control, I would hope in better cleaner condition. And to see all those helmets, shields, bows, to have one of each. hehe

ariel · 15th December 2009, 11:43 AM

If you remember Yucel's descriptions of the Topkapi's "top" collection, some swords were mentioned as having cartouches or signatures that were just erased due to improper "cleaning " in the very recent past. Apparently, the Topkapi's problems may run deeper than just poor storage and lack of regular care.

Marc · 17th December 2009, 10:37 AM

To be sincere... I've been in a few museum storage rooms, and for what I can see from the pictures this one isn't the best I've seen, for sure... but it's FAR from being the worst

. Given the circumstances, I would dare to say it's not that bad, in fact...

Zifir · 17th December 2009, 05:03 PM

I agree that there might be worse places and museums in terms of storing and also there are other deeper problems for Topkapı concerned. But still it aches one's heart to see all those beautiful chain mails and swords are rusting

dennee · 17th December 2009, 05:11 PM

Like others here, I've seen worse. At least there's some order to it. But I wouldn't hang the mail or textiles. And it looks like there's not proper climate control, given the proximity to windows and even an open louvered vent in one photo. It would be great if they could perform proper conservation on each piece, but it is expensive and time-consuming.

A Senefelder · 18th December 2009, 03:40 PM

Thank you for posting the pics. Its always a pleasure to be able to see otherwise inaccessible arms and armour. As others have said the storage isn't unfortunately uncommon, but its still really nice to see the stash. The racks and racks of maille, helmets and kalkans was especially nice ( the racks of maces were pretty spiffy as well ).

13th December 2009, 12:41 PM	#1
ilias Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: GREECE Posts: 73	As I see from the images there is no big waist yet but it will be at the future. I am sure that something will be done to save them!!!

13th December 2009, 02:46 PM	#2
mavi1970 Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: canada Posts: 90	all I can say is wow. Been to the palace many times, and seen the dispayed collections, but never knew about these. Definately next summer when I am there I will ask if they can let me see these. Such a waste. I wonder what there is in the storage of the military museum, probably even more, but being under military control, I would hope in better cleaner condition. And to see all those helmets, shields, bows, to have one of each. hehe

15th December 2009, 11:43 AM	#3
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	If you remember Yucel's descriptions of the Topkapi's "top" collection, some swords were mentioned as having cartouches or signatures that were just erased due to improper "cleaning " in the very recent past. Apparently, the Topkapi's problems may run deeper than just poor storage and lack of regular care.

17th December 2009, 10:37 AM	#4
Marc Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Madrid / Barcelona Posts: 256	To be sincere... I've been in a few museum storage rooms, and for what I can see from the pictures this one isn't the best I've seen, for sure... but it's FAR from being the worst . Given the circumstances, I would dare to say it's not that bad, in fact...

17th December 2009, 05:03 PM	#5
Zifir Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Istanbul Posts: 228	I agree that there might be worse places and museums in terms of storing and also there are other deeper problems for Topkapı concerned. But still it aches one's heart to see all those beautiful chain mails and swords are rusting

17th December 2009, 05:11 PM	#6
dennee Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: College Park, MD Posts: 186	Like others here, I've seen worse. At least there's some order to it. But I wouldn't hang the mail or textiles. And it looks like there's not proper climate control, given the proximity to windows and even an open louvered vent in one photo. It would be great if they could perform proper conservation on each piece, but it is expensive and time-consuming.

18th December 2009, 03:40 PM	#7
A Senefelder Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 214	Thank you for posting the pics. Its always a pleasure to be able to see otherwise inaccessible arms and armour. As others have said the storage isn't unfortunately uncommon, but its still really nice to see the stash. The racks and racks of maille, helmets and kalkans was especially nice ( the racks of maces were pretty spiffy as well ).