Sea Change: Ottoman Textiles between the Mediterranean and the Indian Ocean

Amanda Phillips' book, 'Sea Change: Ottoman Textiles between the Mediterranean and the Indian Ocean,' reveals that Ottoman textiles were integral to global culture, challenging perceptions of their derivative or decadent nature. Through a detailed analysis of museum collections, including the Studenica Monastery's silk wall hanging commissioned by Sultan Bayezid II, Phillips demonstrates the dynamic interplay between technology, trade, and artistic innovation from the 1400s to the 1800s. Her research, grounded in technical and formal analyses of textiles, uncovers the complexities of Ottoman textile production, including the resistance to imperial regulations and the vibrant exchange of goods across empires. Phillips' work expands the understanding of Islamic and Ottoman art by emphasizing non-canonical objects and craftsmanship, offering a nuanced perspective on the empire's economic and social life.

İpek, S. (2022). Sea Change: Ottoman Textiles between the Mediterranean and the Indian Ocean. Mediterranean Studies, 30(1), 129–131. https://doi.org/10.5325/mediterraneanstu.30.1.0129