Turkish Decorative Plate Handmade Ceramic Ornament for Home&Office Wall Decor

ART OF TURKISH CERAMIC

ART OF TURKISH CERAMIC

The art of ceramic has become a cultural treasure by developing in Anatolia throughout history. Throughout the time from the first ages, with its enhancing motifs and raw material being clay; a mixture of metal, nonmetal and oxide, it has turned into a work of art that reflects societies' sensitivity, cultural accumulation, religious beliefs, relationships and lives within society. The art of ceramic which developed in Anatolia reached its highest level of technique and aesthetic especially during the Seljuk and Ottoman periods. Other branches of ceramics could be grouped as the art of tile making, brick and roof tile production. Today, Kutahya has been revived as an important center of tile and ceramic making. In addition, efforts are also being made in private workshops and educational institutions in Iznik, Istanbul, and Bursa to keep the art of traditional Turkish tiles and ceramics alive and develop it so that it can address the demands of modern day life.

Kutahya was Ottoman's most important centre of ceramic production. Thanks to abundant deposits of clay in the area, ceramics were made here in large quantities in Phrygian, Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine times, and the traditional techniques of this art have survived to the present day.

Symbols of Love.

Ottoman Ceramics: Symbols of Love

Turkey is a country that keeps its roots and traditions. All crafts here are made in the same way as thousands of years ago. The composition of the clay, paints, glazes, and, of course, technology absolutely the same as if we still were living in the Middle Ages. This is how we are able to admire the intricate patterns on all those well-crafted dishes, bowls, vases, and jugs now as sultans did before us ages ago.

The fact is that in Islam it is forbidden to portray people and animals. Therefore, Islamic art is full of wonderful geometric and floral ornaments. And, of course, there is a meaning behind each pattern.

How is Made?

Decorative Ceramic Production

The base materials used in the production of the cini comprises of basically calcite and caolin which are high in cilicium (quartz) content.

The raw materials are brought into the workshop from the mines and are crushed and put into a grinder with flint stones. The mixture is grinded and left in settling basins for a couple of days and filtered through cloth presses. Here they are washed and filtered numerous times to get rid of all foreign materials and left to stand for about 20-25 days.

Depending on the type of shaping to be used the clay mixture is prepared in three different states. These include clays for hand throwing, molded pieces and pieces to be pressed.

The mixture prepared for throwing is used for the making of plates, bowls, vases, jars and containers whereas the molding blend is used for glasses plates with a raised pattern and knick knacks. The press mixture is used predominantly for wall and floor tiles.

Once the mixture is matured it is shaped using various techniqies and left to dry slowly. When dry a layer of slip (undercoat) is applied to provide a white background and a smooth surface to paint on. This is fired in a kiln at 1000-1100 degrees celcius and is refered to as a bisquit.

The painting is carried out over the surface of the bisquit using hand made brushes by the use of oxides prepared both locally or purchased from foreign suppliers.

Once painted the pieces are glazed by the use of special glazes. The glazing technique consists of either dipping/submersion or pulverization. The glaze is a transperant glaze which is basically a layer of glass. The glaze firing is carried out at 870-1000 degrees celcius and the coating of the pattern with the glass layer is thus completed.

Break-Resistant Packaging

How is the packaging done?

• Our packaging is used with the best bubbles and boxes to ensure the safety in transit this Plate will arrive at your hand safely.
• If you have problems during shipping please get back to us.