Not on display

Tile

16th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

In the 16th century, Damascus became an important Ottoman provincial capital giving rise to new building schemes faced with tilework. The direct inspiration was from Iznik, but without the formality of the strictly controlled court designs, resulting in a more relaxed exuberant style. The colour palatte was also distinctive relying on softer colours, those favoured by Iznik potters in the 1540s.The designs have parallels in textile patterns which also have repeats.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Fritware, polychrome underglaze painted, glazed
Brief description
Cer, Syria, Ottoman, Polychrome - Tile, fritware, square, painted in underglaze polychrome pigments; Damascus (Syria), 16th century.
Physical description
Tile of fritware, square, painted in underglaze cobalt blue, turquoise, sage green, manganese and black with a design of tulips, roses and other flowers entwined with wavy bands. Framed with a wood border, painted white.
Dimensions
  • Length: 27.6cm
  • Width: 27.6cm
  • Height: 30.2cm (Framed)
  • Width: 29.9cm (Framed)
  • Depth: 5cm (Framed)
Object history
Purchased from Habra Brothers, Great Portland Street, London.
One of three tiles 341 to B-1896.
Production
Ottoman
Subjects depicted
Summary
In the 16th century, Damascus became an important Ottoman provincial capital giving rise to new building schemes faced with tilework. The direct inspiration was from Iznik, but without the formality of the strictly controlled court designs, resulting in a more relaxed exuberant style. The colour palatte was also distinctive relying on softer colours, those favoured by Iznik potters in the 1540s.The designs have parallels in textile patterns which also have repeats.
Bibliographic reference
Similar tile panel at the British Museum, illustrated in Venetia Porter, Islamic Tiles, British Museum Press, London, 1995, fig. 108. OA G.1983.98 Godman Bequest
Collection
Accession number
341B-1896

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Record createdMarch 9, 2009
Record URL
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