stonework

The Seljuk Han of Anatolia

Seljuk stonework sculpture

Stone carving showing a hunting scene with deer and a leopard; Konya Ince Minare Museum

Stone angel from the Konya citadel; Ince Minare Museum, Konya

Drawing by Texier of the Alaeddin Cami in Konya with the remains of the city walls to the right

An interesting design component of Seljuk stonework is the representation of human figures, which has traditionally been regarded as unfavorable by Islamic religious dogma. The Seljuks appear not to have conformed with this interpretive viewpoint, as human figures are prominent subjects in their stonework sculpture.

It is known through the drawings of European travelers of the 19th century that certain public gardens, city gates and walls and private gardens in Konya were decorated with human statues. Charles Texier (1801-1871), the French archeologist, architect, historian and traveler, was assigned the task of conducting research in Anatolia in 1833-37 by the French government. He published the results of his travels and research in Anatolia in a monumental, six-volume work entitled Description de l'Asie Mineure (1839-1848), which included numerous engravings and plans of the city of Konya. His detailed and precise drawings of the stonework sculptures on the city walls are the only remaining testaments to these statues now lost.

Many Seljuk carved stone objects are now preserved in the Konya Ince Minare Stone Museum. Several display human figures and animals in high relief carving, the most charming of which shows an elephant.