The Geography of Diplomatic Gifts: Gift-Giving and the Diverse Gift Profiles of State Ambassadors in 18th-Century Ottoman Diplomatic Ceremonial

H. Hümeyra Şahin

Makale detayları

The Geography of Diplomatic Gifts: Gift-Giving and the Diverse Gift Profiles of State Ambassadors in 18th-Century Ottoman Diplomatic Ceremonial

Yazarlar:

H. Hümeyra Şahin

Yayıncı:

Sakarya University

Ana Başlıklar:

Türk Siyasi Tarihi

Dergi:

Sosyal ve Kültürel Araştırmalar Dergisi (SKAD) Vol.11 Issue 22, pp.35-44

Belge Tipi:

Makale

Yayın Tarihi:

6/2025

Belge Dili:

Türkçe

Document ID (Org No.):

2001349710

pISSN:

2149-2778

Anahtar kelimeler:

Özet:

 Gift-giving, an important element of diplomatic relations, sometimes symbolized tribute in the Ottoman Empires dealings with other states, representing loyalty and respect, while at other times it was regarded as an expression of power and wealth. In general, ambassadors who arrived without gifts were not granted an audience with the sultan, and their appointments were interrupted. The gifts, which varied according to the cultural characteristics of the countries they came from, were presented in accordance with a gift policy shaped by the nature of the era and interstate relations. This article analyzes the gifts presented to Sultan Ahmed III by various foreign ambassadors in the 18th century. Based on the Teşrifat Ceremonial Records in the Sadaret Register No. 347, the gifts presented between 1718 and 1725 by the English Bailo, the Russian Ambassador, the Austrian Ambassador, the Uzbek Ambassador, the Venetian Bailo, the Persian Ambassador, and the French Bailo are examined within the context of their country of origin and culture, regardless of the purpose for which they were brought. The symbolic meanings, types, and characteristics of these gifts are discussed. The differences in gift lists presented by ambassadors from the East and the West underscore the idea that gift-giving also has a geographical dimension.

 Gift-giving, an important element of diplomatic relations, sometimes symbolized tribute in the Ottoman Empires dealings with other states, representing loyalty and respect, while at other times it was regarded as an expression of power and wealth. In general, ambassadors who arrived without gifts were not granted an audience with the sultan, and their appointments were interrupted. The gifts, which varied according to the cultural characteristics of the countries they came from, were presented in accordance with a gift policy shaped by the nature of the era and interstate relations. This article analyzes the gifts presented to Sultan Ahmed III by various foreign ambassadors in the 18th century. Based on the Teşrifat Ceremonial Records in the Sadaret Register No. 347, the gifts presented between 1718 and 1725 by the English Bailo, the Russian Ambassador, the Austrian Ambassador, the Uzbek Ambassador, the Venetian Bailo, the Persian Ambassador, and the French Bailo are examined within the context of their country of origin and culture, regardless of the purpose for which they were brought. The symbolic meanings, types, and characteristics of these gifts are discussed. The differences in gift lists presented by ambassadors from the East and the West underscore the idea that gift-giving also has a geographical dimension.

 Gift-giving, an important element of diplomatic relations, sometimes symbolized tribute in the Ottoman Empires dealings with other states, representing loyalty and respect, while at other times it was regarded as an expression of power and wealth. In general, ambassadors who arrived without gifts were not granted an audience with the sultan, and their appointments were interrupted. The gifts, which varied according to the cultural characteristics of the countries they came from, were presented in accordance with a gift policy shaped by the nature of the era and interstate relations. This article analyzes the gifts presented to Sultan Ahmed III by various foreign ambassadors in the 18th century. Based on the Teşrifat Ceremonial Records in the Sadaret Register No. 347, the gifts presented between 1718 and 1725 by the English Bailo, the Russian Ambassador, the Austrian Ambassador, the Uzbek Ambassador, the Venetian Bailo, the Persian Ambassador, and the French Bailo are examined within the context of their country of origin and culture, regardless of the purpose for which they were brought. The symbolic meanings, types, and characteristics of these gifts are discussed. The differences in gift lists presented by ambassadors from the East and the West underscore the idea that gift-giving also has a geographical dimension.

 Diplomatik ilişkilerin önemli bir unsuru olan hediye, Osmanlı Devletinin diğer devletlerle ilişkilerinde bazen haraç anlamı taşıyarak sadakat ve hürmetin sembolü olmuş, bazen de güç ve zenginliğin ifadesi olarak değerlendirilmiştir. Genelde hediyesiz gelen elçi padişah huzuruna kabul edilmemiş, tayinatı kesintiye uğramıştır. Geldikleri ülkenin kültürel özelliklerine göre çeşitlilik arz eden hediyeler için elçiler dönemin ve devletler arası ilişkilerin mahiyetine göre şekillenen bir hediye politikası tatbik etmişlerdir. Bu makalede, 18. yüzyılda farklı devlet elçilerinin Osmanlı padişahına takdim ettiği hediyelerin analizi yapılmıştır. Sadaret Defteri, 347 numaralı teşrifat kayıtlarına göre, 1718-1725 yılları arasında gelen İngiliz Balyosu, Moskov Elçisi, Avusturya Elçisi, Özbek Elçisi, Venedik Balyosu, Acem Elçisi ve Fransız Balyosunun Sultan III. Ahmede sunduğu hediyeler, getiriliş amacından bağımsız olarak menşe ülke ve kültür bağlamında ele alınmış, hediyelerin sembolik anlamları, türleri ve özellikleri üzerinde durulmuştur. Doğudan ve Batıdan gelen elçilerin hediye listelerinin farklılığı, hediyenin bir coğrafyası olduğunu göstermek açısından önemlidir.

Makale detayları

The Geography of Diplomatic Gifts: Gift-Giving and the Diverse Gift Profiles of State Ambassadors in 18th-Century Ottoman Diplomatic Ceremonial

Yazarlar:

H. Hümeyra Şahin

Yayıncı:

Sakarya University

Ana Başlıklar:

Türk Siyasi Tarihi

Dergi:

Sosyal ve Kültürel Araştırmalar Dergisi (SKAD) Vol.11 Issue 22, pp.35-44

Belge Tipi:

Makale

Yayın Tarihi:

6/2025

Belge Dili:

Türkçe

Document ID (Org No.):

2001349710

pISSN:

2149-2778

Ottoman Diplomacy

Gift

18th Century Diplomacy

CeremonyOsmanlı Diplomasisi

Hediye

18. Yüzyıl Diplomasisi

Teşrifat

Sayı

Makale detayları

Yazarlar: H. Hümeyra Şahin

Yayıncı: Sakarya University

Ana Başlıklar: Türk Siyasi Tarihi

Dergi: Sosyal ve Kültürel Araştırmalar Dergisi (SKAD) Vol.11 Issue 22, pp.35-44

Belge Tipi: Makale

Yayın Tarihi: 6/2025

Belge Dili: Türkçe

Document ID (Org No.): 2001349710

pISSN: 2149-2778

Sayı

Yazarlar:

H. Hümeyra Şahin

Yayıncı:

Sakarya University

Ana Başlıklar:

Türk Siyasi Tarihi

Dergi:

Sosyal ve Kültürel Araştırmalar Dergisi (SKAD) Vol.11 Issue 22, pp.35-44

Belge Tipi:

Makale

Yayın Tarihi:

6/2025

Belge Dili:

Türkçe

Document ID (Org No.):

2001349710

pISSN:

2149-2778