Commonly seen in Ottoman art, and with several extant examples, feathers were often added to adorn turbans and head coverings by both men and women in the Ottoman empire. These were called “sorguç”, and were worn by both men and women. These feature holders can be worn as singles or multiples and feature different types of feathers, though peacock feathers are common.
Codex Vindobonensis 8626, c. 1586-1591
Here, the two seated harem women on the left both have a sorguç adorning their head wear.
Türkisches Manierenbuch c. 1595
A woman is seated and wearing a feature plume to the front of her hat, fastened with a round brooch.
British Museum, c. 1620
A man with an elaborate turban wears two feather plumes.
British Museum, c. 1620
British Museum, c. 1620
Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts, c. 10-16th century
Extant example showing a mixture of peacock and other feathers.
Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts, c. 16th century
Surviving plume holder.
Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts, c. 16th century