Iznik wares Back to ceramics page

Iznik wares of the 16th and 17th centuries are represented in the collection by 35 vessels and tiles. One of the earliest and perhaps the most outstanding examples among the Museum's Iznik wares is a large dish with polychrome painted decoration (CER0711TSR). This dish belongs to one of the most decorative and typical Iznik vessels and may be attributed to the period between 1560-75.   A second dish with serrated edges, painted in cobalt-blue, black and dark green could be idetified as an earlier example (CER0708TSR). However, it has recently been established, that such blue and green painted vessels with flower pot and rock designs were made later, between 1570 and 1580. The third dish showing bunches of grapes, was a faithful copy of a Chinese blue and white porcelain dish and may be dated between 1570 and 1590 (CER0709TSR). Another dish decorated with so-called saz leaves and hatay patterns, is considered to date between 1575 and 1580 (CER0713TSR).     The two-handled tanker decorated with hyacinths and tulips is somewhat later, perhaps it belongs to the period between 1580 and 1590 (CER0718TSR).   The colourful jug is also of the same period (CER0716TSR). But Iznik was producing large number of ceramic tiles which were extensively used in mosque and palace decorations. Museums and private collections all over the world have large number of such Iznik tiles and the Tareq Rajab Museum also possesses several single tiles and two large panels.   One of these panels has three, the other nine square tiles, decorated with hatay motifs and saz leaves (CER1731/A and CER1731/B). They may be dated to the last years of Sulayman the Magnificent and his successor, Selim II's reign, i.e. between 1560 and 1574.

.

Tareq Rajab Museum

PO Box 6156 Hawelli, Kuwait

Tel: 5317358 / Fax: 5339063

© These Pages and articles are Copyright of the Tareq Rajab Museum© 1998-2002