Chapter III · Atelier Yield
The Nakkaşhane Workshop Report
Folios completed, 1561–1567
FOLIO 14 / 22
The gilders set the tempo —
every other hand waits on gold.
Folios completed per master, by trade
Topkapı nakkaşhane registry, seven-year sample
1561
1562
1563
1564
1565
1566
1567
Median wait, painter → gilder
11days
per folio handed up the bench
shortened by 4.2 days under Murad III
Gold leaf per folio
3.4 g
Folios / year, peak
Masters on roster
29
Apprentices
114
¶
In 1564, gilder output rises ahead of painter output for the only
time in the cycle — the bench prepares ground for the
Süleymanname commission six folios before any kaftan is brushed in.