Ornamentation design of water features in the Ottoman Palace and private garden of the Sultan

Topkapı Palace was recognised as home of the Ottoman Empire for four centuries. It has been a working palace, a centre for administration, a primary residence for the Sultan and palace officials. The Palace grounds span over seven hundred thousand meter squares, new buildings were added to the palace upon the request each reigning Sultan, in addition to the main buildings there are small-scale architectural structures which include water features such as basins, drinking and splash fountains (sebils, selsebils) as well as hammams and bathing areas located in the gardens. These water features exhibit a diverse range of detailed stone ornamentation and testify for the taste and design choices that have shaped Turkish Architecture during the Ottoman Era from second half of 15th Century to the 19th Century. This dissertation sheds light on the design of water features situated inside the Harem Quarters, the first, second, third and fourth courtyard of Topkapı Palace, Fatih Sultan Mehmet's commission -the premier building of the palace- Çinili Köşk's indoor fountain, provides a close look at the fountains in the Sultan's royal garden, Gülhane Park. The researcher's process includes photography, hand-drawing and illustration to flatten and examine the ornamentation design embedded in the fountain structures. The dissertation concludes with a thorough discussion of aesthetics and style choices of the time period with a special emphasis on aquatic symbolism and imagery present in the ornamentation design.