Photography 🢒 Türkiye 1993
The Topkapi (National museum) in Istanbul, and some of its contents.
The building (bottom left) was previously the Ottoman Palace, repurposed at the founding of the republic after World War 1.
If you're skeptical that actually is the hand of John the Baptist in the top left, you're not alone. However, the rest of these treasures are the real thing, mostly royal gifts. I've only snapped a few of them here.
Left centre: An emerald-handled dagger given to Sultan Mehmed IV by his mother.
Top centre: The seated miniature statue under the awning is carved from a single huge pearl. I'm not sure if the standing figure next to it was also made from a pearl.
Top right: A miniature palace sketch given by the Emperor of Japan. Its plaque gives the details.
Bottom centre: A music box from India.
