This pair of wall tiles was made to frame a small niche in a wall. Niches were often used for storage, in place of furniture. They were also used for the display of objects suggesting refinement, such as a vase of flowers.
These tiles were made by potters in Iznik, in north-west Turkey. They have a white fritware body, which was a distinctive feature of Ottoman ceramics. From the 1550s, potters also used white fritware for wall tiles.
In the 16th century, the wealth of the Ottoman rulers was reflected in sumptuous decorative arts. Their bold designs rarely included human or animal figures. This feature was deliberately designed to distinguish them from decorative objects produced in Iran at this time.
Physical description
Pair of fritware spandrel tiles, painted under the glaze with floral motifs in red, blue, and green.
Place of Origin
Iznik, Turkey (probably, made)
Date
ca. 1575 (made)
Artist/maker
Unknown (production)
Materials and Techniques
Fritware, polychrome underglaze painted, glazed
Dimensions
Height: 61 cm, Width: 66 cm together
Historical context note
The imperial court's patronage of Iznik ceramics was renewed during the construction of the Süleymaniye mosque in Istanbul in 1550-7. The first Iznik tiles were produced, and a bright red was added to the range of colours painted under the glaze. This was achieved with a slip made from a special clay.
In the following decades, tiles of high quality were decorated in red, green and tones of blue on a white ground. Dishes, bottles and other vessels had similar decoration on white or coloured grounds. From the 1590s, however, standards declined as court patronage receded.
Descriptive line
Two tiles forming a decorative arch, Turkey (probably Iznik), about 1575.
Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)
Tim Stanley ed., with Mariam Rosser-Owen and Stephen Vernoit, Palace and Mosque: Islamic Art from the Middle East, London, V&A Publications, 2004; p. 71, plate 84
Exhibition History
Palace and Mosque: Islamic Art from the Victoria and Albert Museum (The Millennium Galleries, Sheffield 14/01/2006-16/04/2006)
Palace and Mosque: Islamic Art from the Victoria and Albert Museum (Setagaya Art Museum, Tokyo 01/10/2005-04/12/2005)
Palace and Mosque: Islamic Art from the Victoria and Albert Museum (Kimbell Art Museum, Fort Worth, Texas 03/04/2005-04/09/2005)
Palace and Mosque: Islamic Art from the Victoria and Albert Museum (National Gallery of Art, Washington 18/07/2004-06/02/2005)
Labels and date
Two Tiles Forming a Decorative Arch
Turkey, probably Iznik
About 1575
From the 1550s, white fritware was also used for wall tiles. This pair was made to frame a small niche in a wall. Niches were often used for storage, in place of furniture. They were also used for the display of objects suggesting refinement, such as a vase of flowers.
Fritware painted under the glaze
Museum no. 1879-1897 [Jameel Gallery]
Materials
Fritware
Techniques
Underglaze
Categories
Ceramics; Tiles
Collection code
MES
