Efsun Çiçegi (Enchanting Beauty Flowers)

(Istanbul: Ebristan, 2003. Barutçugil, Hikmet. Original marbled paper by the premier marbling artist in Turkey, Hikmet Barutçugil. Signed by the artist. Barutçugil has developed his own technique for creating flowers within his marbled patterns, inspired by his wife, Füsun Hanim. In this delicate example, two carnations grow from the same root, branching off and blossoming in red and yellow. The flower is set against a speckled marbled background of pale blue, violet, and green. Barutcugil's unusual speckling technique gives the effect of pointillistic clouds.

Ebru, or marbling, is one of the oldest arts in Turkey. In addition to being used in book binding and design, it was often used as a background for calligraphy and is considered high art. Ever since its fifteenth-century beginnings, artists in Turkey (and around the world) have experimented with marbling in order to create increasingly complex designs, which are works of art in their own right. The paper, measuring 14 1/2 by 10 3/8 inches, is mounted behind a dark green mat. The whole measures 17 1/5 by 14 inches. A very fine example of Turkish marbled art.