Creation of the Tulip glassware collection

Background: From the Metropolitan Museum to MFAH, Texas

Following the debut of the Heirloom Project at the Metropolitan Museum of Art Shop, for our second collaboration with designer Madeline Weinrib , we designed the Ottoman Tulip Tumblers for the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston, Texas. Shaped like a tulip, the flower most popularly used throughout Ottoman visual culture, these are mouth-blown and hand crafted glass tumblers. While often affiliated with Holland, tulips are in actual fact a flower native to Anatolia, and have been used widely as a motif in art from the region since the 12th century!

Tulip glasses in full range of colors on a coffee table — Ottoman Tulip Tumblers in six different colors

Heirloom Project and Madeline Weinrib

Led by iconic textile and home designer Madeline Weinrib, the Heirloom Project was initiated to celebrate the 10th anniversary of The Met's reimagined Islamic Wing by seeking engagement with global craftspeople who pursue ancient techniques and design principles. The project later moved on to other museums including the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston who have an impressive Islamic Art Department.

Heirloom Project in the News : Indagare Travel

Madeline recently visited Istanbul in light of the Heirloom project and this trip was recently covered by the famous Indagare Travel .

“When traveling, my perfect day always includes a visit to an artist or designer studio. On my last trip to Istanbul, I had the pleasure of visiting Fy-shan Glass Studio, which has ready-to-make pieces as well as bespoke. I saw a gorgeous custom glass bar that Fy-shan made for a customer. I myself would like to customize a chandelier—now that’s my idea of a perfect souvenir.”

Wide range of colors

For the MFAH, this uniqıe tulip shaped glass tumbler was created in six exquisite colors - Turkish blue, Cobalt Blue, Tourmaline, Sunset, Rose and Amethyst. Our gaffers mouth blown each with attention to detail and the tumblers are finished with hand painted contrast rims which are heat sealed.

Cobalt blue and Turkish blue tulip glasses — Cobalt Blue with red rim and Turkish Blue with blue rim

‘Türban’ to Tulips

Tulip is Turkey’s national flower with its roots going back to Ottoman era where it would grow in wild. Tulipa is the Latin word for tulip which is derived from Tulipan, meaning "turban".

“Most people think that tulips originated in the Netherlands with how iconic they are over there. But, they actually came from Central Asia where they grew as a wildflower. And they were first cultivated in Turkey around 1000AD. The tulip name actually comes from the Turkish word for ‘türban’ for their similar appearances”

Tulips adorn the public gardens all around Istanbul in spring time, including the 16th century Ottoman Palace of Istanbul, the Topkapı Palace. One of the best examples of the famous türbans used by the Ottomans is portrayed glamorously in the Bellini painting of Sultan the Mehmet II , at the National Gallery of London.

Use them as tumblers or vases — Turkish Blue Tulip Tumbler h: 8 cm I 3 1/8" dia: 6 cm I 2 3/8"

Tulip Vase

Antique textile with tulip designs

Iznil Tulip Pllate

These glass tumblers mimic the tulip flower. Tulips have inspired many artisans in Ottoman Empire and continues to do so today in today's Turkey. From ceramic vases and plates to textiles, tulips have become eternal on work of craft and art. Our Tulip tumblers join their proud predecessors.

Head out to our online shop to get your or preorder now!