OTTOMAN....What do we mean?

[kahnjar1]

I notice that lately a lot of items are being described as "Ottoman" in origin. I am/was of the understanding that the term Ottoman was a period in history rather than a location.
To me it is like describing (for example) an African sword/club/knife as British just because the Brits once were "in charge" of a given area of the world......so what do we ACTUALLY mean when we describe something as Ottoman? To me it would mean a Turkish item from the Ottoman period, but I do not think that IS the origin of many of the pieces described this way.
Stu

[estcrh]

Originally Posted by kahnjar1

I notice that lately a lot of items are being described as "Ottoman" in origin. I am/was of the understanding that the term Ottoman was a period in history rather than a location.
To me it is like describing (for example) an African sword/club/knife as British just because the Brits once were "in charge" of a given area of the world......so what do we ACTUALLY mean when we describe something as Ottoman? To me it would mean a Turkish item from the Ottoman period, but I do not think that IS the origin of many of the pieces described this way.
Stu

To me, the term when applied to armor or weapons simply means that it originated from within the confines of the Ottoman Empire. That is quite a wide area and time period, not much different than describing an item as "European". From there you would have to narrow it down to a more specific area and time period, which sometimes can be quite difficult.

[kahnjar1]

Originally Posted by estcrh

To me, the term when applied to armor or weapons simply means that it originated from within the confines of the Ottoman Empire. That is quite a wide area and time period, not much different than describing an item as "European". From there you would have to narrow it down to a more specific area and time period, which sometimes can be quite difficult.

Exactly my point......Usually when a Member asks for origin, he or she is looking to find out the ORIGIN of an item, in other words,where it ACTUALLY comes from......
"Ottoman" simply (as you say) means it came from some part of the Ottoman Empire within some time period that the Empire existed. It really does not tell us much does it?
Stu

[estcrh]

Originally Posted by kahnjar1

Exactly my point......Usually when a Member asks for origin, he or she is looking to find out the ORIGIN of an item, in other words,where it ACTUALLY comes from......
"Ottoman" simply (as you say) means it came from some part of the Ottoman Empire within some time period that the Empire existed. It really does not tell us much does it?
Stu

Stu, I cant wait until we discuss the term "Indo-Persian"!!!

[kahnjar1]

Originally Posted by estcrh

Stu, I cant wait until we discuss the term "Indo-Persian"!!!

Me either, but another thread would be better for that. It's just that "Ottoman" seems to be the current buzz word for describing almost anything which is of questioned (not questionable) origin.

[harrywagner]

Slightly off topic, but if you have not already read "The fall of the Ottomans" by Eugene Rogan, I recommend it.