Ottoman Sultan Mehmed "the Conqueror"
- Altar Modelling
- Ottoman Sultan Mehmed “the Conqueror” figure
- Code: ALT-09-05
- 25mm white metal, model figure. 5 pieces
- Requires assembly and painting. Paint and glue not included in the box.
556 years ago, Ottoman armies led by young Sultan Mehmed II, accomplished great dream of their ancestors and conquered the invincible city of Istanbul in 1453. On the 556th anniversary of this great event that changed the course of history, on 29 May 2009, as Altar Modelling we proudly announce our new 25mm figure of Ottoman Sultan Mehmed “the Conqueror”.
Mehmed’s seal as Ottoman Sultan
Born in 1432 as son of Ottoman Sultan II. Murat. Upon his father’s death, he took the throne for the second time in 1451 (first was in 1444 for a brief period). In 1453, at the age of 21, he fulfilled his ancestors’ dream and conquered Istanbul. He continued Ottoman conquests in Rumelia up until Italian mainland. Majority of his 30 years time on throne was spent at battlefields. He was a great commander, personally leading the army, encouraging troops at times when they hesitated. He was a great intellectual and statesman who understood the true spirit of Renaissance perfectly. Mehmed had the fabric of a true emperor. He implemented the notion of one world, one sovereign principle and world domination idea coming from ancient Turkish state tradition. During his reign, as well as being the mighty Ottoman Sultan, he was also the Kaiser of Rum i.e. The Roman Emperor, making him the ruler and emperor of all known and civilised world of his time. Mehmed lost his life in 1481. He is buried at his tomb in Istanbul.
We wanted a pose that would reflect Mehmed II’s character as a great warrior and brave leader who never hesitated to attack in front of his soldiers at rare times when they hesitated. Therefore, we portrayed him mounted on his beautiful horse and attacking forward with his sword and shield. He led his armies to many battles and he dared to attack in front of his troops and rode his horse toward the enemy lines or fortified positions as recorded during the Siege of Istanbul in 1453, in Siege of Belgrade in 1456 and at battle against Stephan the Great of Moldavia in 1476. When Sultan dared, his army followed this one of the greatest warriors of history.
Sultan Mehmed “the Conqueror”
This illustration is commissoned by Altar Modelling to illustrator Jon Hodgson.
Source: Altar Modelling. All rights reserved. Cannot be copied of reproduced.
Stages of creating the 25mm master
Our figure comes in 5 parts: Body, right hand holding sword, shield, feather on his turban and his horse.
Sultan Mehmed leads his army toward the fortress of Belgrade in 1456
Source: Hünername, Doğan Kardeş, İstanbul 1969
Sultan Mehmed
Source: Hünername, Doğan Kardeş, İstanbul 1969
Sultan Mehmed in a late 16th century Ottoman miniature book
Source: Hayat Mecmuası, 21 May 1964
Republic of Turkey stamps issued for the 500th anniversary of conquest of Istanbul and death of Sultan Mehmed.
(1953 and 1981 respectively)
Source: Altar Modelling collection
Following the conquest of Istanbul, Sultan Mehmed did not abolish the Roman Orthodox Patriarchate and allowed his new Orthodox subjects to have their new patriarch elected. Sultan personally extended his protection over this sacred institution and he showed his respect. Sultan Mehmed sought for priest Gennadios (Georgios Scholarios) who had high esteem among Orthodox population. Sultan Mehmed held the same ceremony for the election that has been the custom during the times of past Eastern Roman emperors and had Gennadios elected as new patriarch in December 1453. Gennadios then was invited to the palace and Sultan Mehmed handed over the staff personally to him.
To organise a ceremony and having the power to had a patriarch elected was a privilege of the Roman Emperors and by going through these steps, the new ruler of the city, the mighty Ottoman Sultan, Mehmed II, declared his position as the Kaiser of Rum i.e. The Roman Emperor in an undisputable manner.
Source: Republic of Turkey stamp issued in 1953. Altar Modelling collection
Sultan Mehmed and depiction of him in various historical sources.
Source: Hayat Mecmuası, 10 January 1963
European card dated 1903 showing Sultan Mehmed entering Istanbul in 1453.
Source: Altar Modelling collection
Sultan Mehmed from the Konstantin series
Source: Altar Modelling collection
Sultan Mehmed
Portrait by famous Italian artist Bellini. Original is at British Museum in London.
Source: Mufassal Osmanlı Tarihi Tablosu no 9, Mufassal Osmanlı Tarihi, Şehir Matbaası, İstanbul 1957, Volume 1, pp 416-417
This limited number figure have been released in 29 May 2009, on the 556th anniversary of the Conquest of Istanbul.
©Altar Modelling
All rights reserved. Pictures and text cannot be used or copied without permission.
