The development of Ottoman ceramics

Abstract

Many of the world’s ceramic objects can trace their aesthetic lineage to one source, Ming Dynasty export porcelain. Turkish or Ottoman ceramics is a tradition that drew inspiration from luxury goods acquired through trade along the Silk Road. Centrally located between Asia and Europe, Istanbul, the former capital of the Ottoman Empire became a trading center for these wares. An entire genre of ceramic work was produced in reference to these vessels. My research shows the influence of Chinese imports as the spring board for the development of Ottoman ceramics, by examining the advances in material experimentation and the interdisciplinary collaboration between artisans and design guilds, that in turn made these Iznik ceramic vessels and tiles so distinguishably Turkish.