Description
Ceramic vessels and tiles produced in Iznik, Turkey, for the Ottoman court in Istanbul represented the finest Islamic ceramics. Floral and vegetal motifs are a hallmark of Iznik pottery. The center of this dish is covered in a dynamic artichoke motif interwoven with rosettes and serrated saz leaves. The artichoke design was likely inspired by luxury Italian textiles imported into the Ottoman court. The dish represents a high point of Ottoman art during the reign of Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent (1520–66) in which European, Persian, Chinese, and Egyptian influences contributed to a distinct artistic language.
Provenance
Sulzbach; Stora; Scarisbrick; (Oliver Hoare Ltd., London, UK, sold to the Cleveland Museum of Art) (?-1995); The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (1995-)
Accession Number
1995.17
Medium
fritware with underglaze-painted design
Dimensions
Diameter: 36.4 cm (14 5/16 in.); Overall: 6.9 cm (2 11/16 in.)
Classification
Ceramic
Credit Line
Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund