Kulak Kepçesi Stilinin Ortaya Çıkış Süreci ve Belli Örneklerle Stilin Değerlendirilmesi

TheAuricular Style (Kulak Kepçesi Stili, Lobate,Ohrmuschelstil, Kwab) refersto a unique decorative

style in 17th-century Holland that represents a transitional phase between Northern Mannerism

and the Baroque style. Composed of organic, amorphous, and almost melting forms, this style

takes its name from its asymmetrical shapes reminiscent of the outer ear. First traces of this

decorative approach can be found in 16th-century printmaking, but it gained an independent

stylistic identity through the silverworks produced by the Vianen brothers, who were active at the

Habsburg court in Prague. Initially attracting the interest of a limited circle, thisstyle soon inspired

artistsfrom different disciplines, thus spreading throughout Europe. Although the exact date and

artistic environment in which the style emerged remain debatable, it is undeniable that the

strongest contribution came fromthe Netherlands; it then spread to leading European art centers

such as England, France, Italy, and Germany. In the second half of the 19th century, it also

appeared to a limited extent in Ottoman art, particularly in the field of architectural

ornamentation; later, it became more visible in civil architectural works, especially in the Pera

district of Istanbul. This study examines in detail the emergence of the auricular form, its origins,

and the transformation it underwent in the context of printmaking and silver craftsmanship. It also

discusses how the style was adopted in European art, particularly in architectural ornamentation

and painting, through concrete examples. Furthermore, it bringsto the forefront a form that has

not been sufficiently defined in Ottoman decorative literature and draws attention to the

reflection of this style in Ottoman art. Therefore, the study aims to contribute to the enrichment

of the decorative terminology of the late Ottoman period and to a more accurate

conceptualization of the auricular style.