Kutahya ceramics
Traditional Turkish ceramic arts are quite old handicrafts and the cultural wealth of the Turks is reflected in these handicrafts. Although there are many types of regional pottery in Turkey, the most well known of them is Iznik style pottery. Iznik wares are outstanding products and therefore they have gained great appreciation both domestically and abroad. It is known that Iznik works were used in architecture as tiles as well as in the Ottoman Palace as household items. However, the support of the Ottoman palace was not only limited to being a good customer, there was also a serious support in an artistic sense.
Iznik art is truly the manifestation of Ottoman style in ceramics. The biggest reason for this is the artists who worked in the decoration of Iznik ceramics. During the period when the art of Iznik was at its peak, artists who were directly connected to the Palace prepared the pattern sketches to be used in ceramics. Then, with the help of these sketches, Iznik masters used to apply patterns to the pieces ordered from the Ottoman Palace. As a result of these processes, Iznik ceramics were brought to light.
There was no such support for Kutahya pottery, another similar Turkish pottery. While Iznik ceramics were developed as a Palace Art, Kutahya ceramics were rather close to a folk art. In this matter, the distance of Kutahya to Istanbul was an important reason. Nevertheless, Kutahya ceramics were not very different from Iznik wares. Similar techniques and methods have been used in Kutahya ceramics and many characteristics were the same, but the Palace support for Kutahya pottery was limited. In addition, Kutahya ceramics were significantly inspired by Iznik style in terms of decoration.
Following the decline of the Ottoman Empire, pottery production in Iznik was almost ceased. This was an opportunity for Kutahya pottery and It became the new production center of Turkish ceramics. In this way, Kutahya ceramics have continued to develop and became quite refined in the process that has been going on until today. Although there are differences between the two types of ceramics in the historical sense, currently, it is very difficult to speak of a clear distinction. Today, both Iznik and Kutahya ceramics are produced with the same traditional methods and mostly decorated with the same patterns.
Iznik art is truly the manifestation of Ottoman style in ceramics. The biggest reason for this is the artists who worked in the decoration of Iznik ceramics. During the period when the art of Iznik was at its peak, artists who were directly connected to the Palace prepared the pattern sketches to be used in ceramics. Then, with the help of these sketches, Iznik masters used to apply patterns to the pieces ordered from the Ottoman Palace. As a result of these processes, Iznik ceramics were brought to light.
There was no such support for Kutahya pottery, another similar Turkish pottery. While Iznik ceramics were developed as a Palace Art, Kutahya ceramics were rather close to a folk art. In this matter, the distance of Kutahya to Istanbul was an important reason. Nevertheless, Kutahya ceramics were not very different from Iznik wares. Similar techniques and methods have been used in Kutahya ceramics and many characteristics were the same, but the Palace support for Kutahya pottery was limited. In addition, Kutahya ceramics were significantly inspired by Iznik style in terms of decoration.
Following the decline of the Ottoman Empire, pottery production in Iznik was almost ceased. This was an opportunity for Kutahya pottery and It became the new production center of Turkish ceramics. In this way, Kutahya ceramics have continued to develop and became quite refined in the process that has been going on until today. Although there are differences between the two types of ceramics in the historical sense, currently, it is very difficult to speak of a clear distinction. Today, both Iznik and Kutahya ceramics are produced with the same traditional methods and mostly decorated with the same patterns.
