Can you appreciate an empire simply
for the fabulousness of its interiors?
Turkish Iznik tile
from the Ottoman period
is so easy to appreciate.
It was used en masse on mosques and palaces
inside and outside.
Yet each tile brings joy in its own right.
One Ottoman sultan loved tulips.
Tulips were incorporated into clothing, interiors, landscapes.
Tulips are everywhere in Turkey to this day.
So many different tile designs,
individual like snowflakes.
Then assembled into a larger pattern
like a quilt of ceramic beauty.
Below, the evil eye,
said by the Turks
to absorb the first glance of jealousy,
leaving only kinder thoughts.
Red in Iznik tile is rarer.
I am grateful to see this craft and enjoy their beauty.
Let's be friends on Facebook.
"Like" Empty Nest Expat.
You may enjoy my other two posts on Topkapi Palace:
3 comments:
It's many years since we were at Topkapı Palace but my lasting memory of it is the vivid colours in the tiles. Great pics.
Thank you, Julia.
Hi Karen - many thanks for your guided tour around the Topkapi Palace. I too, enjoy the beauty of the tile designs.
Post a Comment