Ewer
ca. 1590-1600 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The main decoration on this ewer is an outsized arabesque with bold blue veins in the leaves. In the 16th century, when this piece was made, 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 those produced in Iran at this time.
This ewer was made at the small town of Iznik, near Istanbul. The Ottoman court renewed its patronage of Iznik ceramics during the construction of the Süleymaniye mosque in Istanbul in 1550 to 1557. The first Iznik tiles were produced, and potters added a bright red 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.
This ewer was made at the small town of Iznik, near Istanbul. The Ottoman court renewed its patronage of Iznik ceramics during the construction of the Süleymaniye mosque in Istanbul in 1550 to 1557. The first Iznik tiles were produced, and potters added a bright red 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.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Fritware, polychrome underglaze painted, glazed |
| Brief description | Jug with red band around neck and floral design on green body, Turkey (probably Iznik), ca. 1590-1600. |
| Physical description | Jug with red band around neck, floral design on green body. Turkey (probably Iznik), late 16th century. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Styles | |
| Gallery label | Jameel Gallery
12–15 Dishes and Jugs with Paint and Red Slip
Turkey, probably Iznik
1580–1600
The patterns often combine Islamic and Chinese elements. The arabesques (12–14) are Islamic, while the S-shaped clouds (15) are Chinese in origin. On the two dishes the background has a wave scroll inspired by Chinese models, and the rims have versions of the Chinese rock and wave design.
Fritware painted under the glaze
Museum nos. 1141-1864, C.2016-1910, Bequest of George Salting; 1708-1855; C.1993-1910, Bequest of George Salting (Jameel Gallery) |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | The main decoration on this ewer is an outsized arabesque with bold blue veins in the leaves. In the 16th century, when this piece was made, 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 those produced in Iran at this time. This ewer was made at the small town of Iznik, near Istanbul. The Ottoman court renewed its patronage of Iznik ceramics during the construction of the Süleymaniye mosque in Istanbul in 1550 to 1557. The first Iznik tiles were produced, and potters added a bright red 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. |
| Associated object | |
| Bibliographic reference | John Ayers, Oriental Art in the Victoria and Albert Museum (London: Philip Wilson Publishers, 1983), p. 120. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 1708-1855 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | December 3, 2003 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
