İznik Ceramics

The İznik ceramics are among the most magnificent crafts of the Islamic world. In the 15th–17th centuries, the workshops of İznik (ancient Nicaea) produced tiles and vessels of unparalleled beauty — the famous tiles of the Blue Mosque, the Topkapı Palace, and the Rüstem Paşa Mosque originate from here.

Characteristics of genuine İznik ceramics: cobalt blue, turquoise, “İznik Red” (a bright coral red, slightly raised under the glaze), green, and black on a white background. Motifs: tulips, carnations, pomegranates, artichokes, arabesque vines.

Today, there is a revival of İznik ceramics — the İznik Foundation trains craftsmen and produces according to historical methods. Genuine hand-painted İznik ware is expensive (a plate from 500–3,000 ₺), while mass-produced items from Kütahya and Avanos are cheaper (from 30–100 ₺), but not comparable.