Description
At its height, the Ottoman Empire controlled lands covering modern-day Turkey, North Africa, the Middle East, and even parts of Europe. The very finest Ottoman ceramics were made in the city of Iznik, and from there they were exported across the vast Empire. Prized today, Iznik ceramics were valuable luxury objects in their own time as well, and were commissioned in huge numbers by the Ottoman royal court. The relative stability and prosperity of the Empire allowed for a flourishing of the arts, and the collecting of luxurious ceramics spread well beyond the Empire’s capital of Istanbul.
Ottoman art is, in part, characterized by a deep interest in naturalistic forms, such as flowers, leaves, trees, and birds. When combined, these motifs can create fantastical and lush garden scenes, like the one seen on this plate. If you look closely at this dish you may notice its edge is slightly scalloped. This detail, and the blue and white “cloud scroll” design of the rim, are derived from Chinese ceramics, which were popular import items in the Ottoman Empire.
Details
- Work Date:
- ca. 1585
- Location:
- Norah Warbeke gallery
- Medium:
- Ceramic with white slip and polychrome glaze