ART OF TURKISH CERAMIC

ART OF TURKISH CERAMIC

The art of ceramic has become a cultural treasure by developing in Anatolia throughout history. Throughout the time from the first ages, with its enhancing motifs and raw material being clay; a mixture of metal, nonmetal and oxide, it has turned into a work of art that reflects societies sensitivity, cultural accumulation, religious beliefs, relationships and lives within society. The art of ceramic which developed in Anatolia reached its highest level of technique and aesthetic especially during the Seljuk and Ottoman periods. Other branches of ceramics could be grouped as the art of tile making, brick and roof tile production. Today, Kutahya has been revived as an important center of tile and ceramic making. In addition, efforts are also being made in private workshops and educational institutions in Iznik, Istanbul, and Bursa to keep the art of traditional Turkish tiles and ceramics alive and develop it so that it can address the demands of modern day life.

Kutahya was Ottomans most important centre of ceramic production. Thanks to abundant deposits of clay in the area, ceramics were made here in large quantities in Phrygian, Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine times, and the traditional techniques of this art have survived to the present day.

Tulips

Why we draw tulips ?

Turkish sultans adored tulip flowers. Tulip was revered as a sacred flower. It symbolized harmony and beauty.

It was one of the favorite motifs, the tulip was depicted in the pages of poetry books, on fabrics and carpets, clothing, weapons, the walls of mosques, jewelry, and tableware.

On the territory of Topkapi (the main residence of the sultans) located world-famous “Garden of tulips.” Even the first third of the XVIII century in the history of the Ottoman Empire is known as “The Age of Tulips”. As you see, the tulips were loved.

But there was a special ottoman tulip, a red flower with pointed petals, which can only be seen in Istanbul. The taller and thinner were the petals of Istanbul tulip the more beautiful it considered. The shape of petals was compared with the tips of the swords, with the curves of the female eyebrow or with a graceful Arabic script. Persian poet Hafiz wrote about tulips: ” Even rose can’t be compared with the virgin beauty of the tulip”

How is Made?

Decorative Ceramic Production

The base materials used in the production of the cini comprises of basically calcite and caolin which are high in cilicium (quartz) content.

The raw materials are brought into the workshop from the mines and are crushed and put into a grinder with flint stones. The mixture is grinded and left in settling basins for a couple of days and filtered through cloth presses. Here they are washed and filtered numerous times to get rid of all foreign materials and left to stand for about 20-25 days.

Depending on the type of shaping to be used the clay mixture is prepared in three different states. These include clays for hand throwing, molded pieces and pieces to be pressed.

The mixture prepared for throwing is used for the making of plates, bowls, vases, jars and containers whereas the molding blend is used for glasses plates with a raised pattern and knick knacks. The press mixture is used predominantly for wall and floor tiles.

Once the mixture is matured it is shaped using various techniqies and left to dry slowly. When dry a layer of slip (undercoat) is applied to provide a white background and a smooth surface to paint on. This is fired in a kiln at 1000-1100 degrees celcius and is refered to as a bisquit.

The painting is carried out over the surface of the bisquit using hand made brushes by the use of oxides prepared both locally or purchased from foreign suppliers.

Once painted the pieces are glazed by the use of special glazes. The glazing technique consists of either dipping/submersion or pulverization. The glaze is a transperant glaze which is basically a layer of glass. The glaze firing is carried out at 870-1000 degrees celcius and the coating of the pattern with the glass layer is thus completed.

Break-Resistant Packaging

How is the packaging done?

• Our packaging is used with the best bubbles and boxes to ensure the safety in transit this Plate will arrive at your hand safely.
• If you have problems during shipping please get back to us.