Islamic Arts and Ceramics
Islamic Art is a very broad concept. It is an umbrella definition that spans a large geography, covering the arts of various cultures. Islam, the last of the Abrahamic religions, has a structure that regulates most of the practices in daily life. Islamic art has developed in this context. For this reason, unlike other cultures, there are a lot of restrictions on classical Islamic Art. For example, the depiction of the human figure was forbidden because it evokes idols, therefore sculpture was nonexistent and the art of painting, which was in form of miniatures, was performed only in courts.
The restrictions on Islamic art led Muslim artists to orient themselves to more accepted areas rather than to obstruct their creativity. Very competent works were produced in the arts such as textiles, weaving, carpets, rugs, metalworking, glass, wood carving, ceramics and calligraphy. The miniature, which was a unique illustration technique with stylized figures, was also highly developed. Calligraphy has a special place in Islamic art. Stylish calligraphy practices are observed in many Islamic arts. The most important factors in this regard are the predisposition of the Arabic alphabet to calligraphy and the use of Quranic verses in various visual arts.
Islamic ceramics are also very rich in variety and have continued to evolve throughout history. Both the interactions between the Islamic peoples and the exchange with the neighboring cultures resulted classical Islamic ceramics in various forms and styles. Islamic ceramics have been used both as household goods and as wall tiles and panels in architectural works. It is possible to encounter Islamic tiles in many historical buildings. One of the Islamic seramic art is the world famous Iznik ceramics. Turkish ceramics are examples of classical Islamic ceramics by the use of calligraphy, miniature and Arabesque patterns in their decorations and their use in architecture.
The restrictions on Islamic art led Muslim artists to orient themselves to more accepted areas rather than to obstruct their creativity. Very competent works were produced in the arts such as textiles, weaving, carpets, rugs, metalworking, glass, wood carving, ceramics and calligraphy. The miniature, which was a unique illustration technique with stylized figures, was also highly developed. Calligraphy has a special place in Islamic art. Stylish calligraphy practices are observed in many Islamic arts. The most important factors in this regard are the predisposition of the Arabic alphabet to calligraphy and the use of Quranic verses in various visual arts.
Islamic ceramics are also very rich in variety and have continued to evolve throughout history. Both the interactions between the Islamic peoples and the exchange with the neighboring cultures resulted classical Islamic ceramics in various forms and styles. Islamic ceramics have been used both as household goods and as wall tiles and panels in architectural works. It is possible to encounter Islamic tiles in many historical buildings. One of the Islamic seramic art is the world famous Iznik ceramics. Turkish ceramics are examples of classical Islamic ceramics by the use of calligraphy, miniature and Arabesque patterns in their decorations and their use in architecture.
