A Study on Ornaments of Çeşme (Public Fountain) of 58 The Ottoman Empire

Abstract

Çeşme is one of the Ottoman’s architectural works which was built for supplying water to public as charity. They are beautifully decorated as if for adorning the city. This article studies on ornaments of Ottoman’s Çeşme, particularly in Istanbul, about their forms, meanings, locations and values. The result demonstrates that there are four kinds of ornaments represent water, flowers, fruits and trees. They symbolize water, lives, fertility and eternity which, according to Islamic belief, can be found in paradise. Hence, Çeşme can be as “heaven on earth” for muslims. Some ornaments are simplified as symbols while some have naturalistic looks. There are few ornaments on Çeşme that the Ottomans adopted from Western art and turned into their own style without against to Islamic principle. Most of the ornaments were located around Çeşme’s niche or surrounding the basin. While the ornaments which hold significant meanings were place on specific areas. At last for value of the ornaments on Çeşmes are they reflect architectural style of the Ottomans in each period. They let muslims hold on Allah as well as inspire them to be good people.