The Imperial Caïque and Its Toy
How did the imperial caïques — the grandest vessels of the Ottoman sultans — become a toy in the hands of Eyüp's toymakers?
After the conquest of Istanbul, the pleasure boats that carried the Ottoman rulers across the Sea of Marmara — the most prestigious vessels of the sultans of their age — came to be called imperial caïques (saltanat kayığı).
In these caïques, the finest and most refined examples of Ottoman boat-building, beauty and splendour were expressed in the plainest style and with striking balance. Known among the people by names such as Köşklü (pavilioned) and Kuşlu (birded), they were built in various sizes and styles. On some, an eagle figure at the bow symbolised power, splendour and goodness, while the snake caught in the eagle’s talons stood for evil.
Kemanebaş, kancabaş, dikbaş
Imperial caïques were built in different forms: Kemanebaş, Kancabaş and Dikbaş. The sultans’ own caïques were mostly of the Kemanebaş form, while those used by the Harem were built mostly as kancabaş and dikbaş. At the stern sat a pavilion for the sultan; the bow and stern were adorned with gilded carvings.
Becoming an Eyüp toy
Many a sultan came to Eyüp Sultan by these caïques for the accession ceremony and the Girding of the Sword. Because the sultans arrived at Eyüp by water, the imperial caïques became a subject for Eyüp’s toymakers, who produced toy forms of them in their own day.
Today the Traditional Eyüp Toymaker continues to produce the Imperial Caïque in different sizes, colours and patterns, for children, enthusiasts and collectors alike. Some of the original caïques can be visited at the Naval Museum in Beşiktaş, Istanbul.
