Basic Introduction to Turkish Ceramics
Straddling Europe and Asia, Turkey, located between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, is one of the world's major producers and consumers of ceramics. Even affected by the global financial crisis in 2009, it did not affect its position in the global ceramic industry.
During the “Silk Road” era, Turkey used its unparalleled collection of Yuan Dynasty blue-and-white porcelain, acquired through Silk Road trade, to express its appreciation for Chinese ceramics.
Product Characteristics
These exquisite Turkish ceramics, after being washed and evolved by time, have taken on their own cultural imprint of Turkey. They are vividly colorful with lively patterns that are a miniature reflection of the Turkish cultural spirit, narrating touching stories about faith and Turkey itself.
Historical Folklore
The history of ceramic production in Turkey dates back to the Seljuk period. A representative work is an octagonal tile with a double-headed eagle design, currently housed in the Konya Karatay Ceramic Museum, which was made in 1236 AD and has a history of over 700 years. It is generally believed that the method of making tiles in Turkey came from Iran, while the technology for producing daily-use and decorative ceramics was introduced from China during the Ottoman period. Over time, Turkish ceramics developed distinct characteristics and centers of ceramic production emerged in places like Iznik, Kutahya, and Istanbul.
In the Seljuk and Ottoman periods, they applied and imitated tile mosaic techniques, advancing the styles of decorative ceramics and ceramic painting to a high level. Especially during the Ottoman period, the use of sky blue and golden yellow glazes made the ceramics appear more regal to suit the needs of the imperial court. They also invented new technologies, using standardized molds for firing, eliminating the need for manual labor to create complex designs, thus paving the way for mass production of decorative tiles.
In the 16th century, a red glaze known as “Turkish Red” appeared. The creation of a tomato-red glaze called “Turkish Red” gave the ceramics a unique character and made the patterns more vivid and beautiful. Iznik served as the center of Turkish ceramics from the mid-14th to the late 17th century, primarily producing tiles. Many palaces and mosques in Turkey were paved with tiles made here. What sets Iznik tiles apart is that they contain up to 85% quartz, making them of superior quality.