CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN REFİA SULTAN AND HER JEWELER, GOLDSMITH MANAS (MANASE HEKİMİAN), REGARDING AN EARRING ORDER
Drawing of the earrings Goldsmith Manas (Manase Hekimian) was going to make for Refia Sultan. The drawing reflecting the 19th century taste also provides important information on the production of jewels. The desires probably personally written by Refia Sultan known for her extravagance are attention grabbing. Accordingly, the earrings were naturally to be made in pairs. Three of the six smaller stones around the circular-shaped large stone on top and in the middle of the drawing were to be brilliants and the other three spinels, a coloration in line with classical Ottoman taste. Further, three pearls each were to be set on the marked points on the drawing, together with small pendant brilliants at the tips. The note indicating that pearls needed for the job were to be given is a good example showing that members of the dynasty and of the court kept unmounted stones and pearls handy to be used when necessary. Despite the absence of a signature and a seal on the document, it is assumed that it belonged to Manas, because it was found in the file with other Manas documents and because of the extensive relations between Refia Sultan and the famous goldsmith.
Another drawing of the earrings Goldsmith Manas was going to produce for Refia Sultan.
The similarity between the two drawings (TSMA. E. 9-20, p. 4) is striking. Although the drawings have similarities, the materials used were different. First and probably as written by Refia Sultan, the large stone at the top of the first drawing was replaced here by a large pearl. The small stones (brilliants and spinels) around the pearl were the same and new pearls were requested to be set on the marked places. The document indicates that the pearls needed for these earrings were likewise to be supplied.