For centuries, Turkish silverwork has been admired and collected. One of the largest collections in Turkey is in Topkapi Palace in Istanbul. The collections contains rare examples of ewers, basins, sprinklers for rose water, censers, stationery boxes, candlesticks and snuffers, serving trays, filigree coffee sets, children’s rattles, water cups, dessert sets, sherbet bowls, braziers, mirrors, Qur’an covers, lanterns, jewelry boxes and cutlery.
Traditionally, silversmiths were members of guilds that had very strict rules for training, apprenticeship and master craftsmen. The process to become a trained silversmith took years to complete. The master artisans who came from different parts of the Ottoman Empire brought their secrets and skills with them, which was eventually incorporated into the Ottoman styles. Popular techniques included intaglio, repousse, filigree, chasing, niello, embossing and metal plating. One of the more popular techniques was “murassa”, which was the art of embedding precious and semi-precious stones into the surfaces of swords, daggers, book covers, crystal and porcelain.
Today, the centers of silverwork include the Black Sea region, Mardin and small workshops hidden away near the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul.
The abundance of natural resources required for tile and ceramic production were readily available and ensured that the products were of the highest quality. From items for everyday use in the home to decorative pieces that graced mansions and palaces, functional as well as ornamental ceramics had an important role in society. Iznik (formerly Nicaea) and Kütahya, both in Western Turkey, have been famous for centuries for quality of the ceramics they produce.
Now a world leader in ceramic production, Turkish producers make use of the latest technology for modern productions. The new creations are not only beautiful and imaginative, but also functional. Modern designs as well as the more traditional motifs are widely popular and grace tables and art collections in Turkey and across the globe.
Traditionally, silversmiths were members of guilds that had very strict rules for training, apprenticeship and master craftsmen. The process to become a trained silversmith took years to complete. The master artisans who came from different parts of the Ottoman Empire brought their secrets and skills with them, which was eventually incorporated into the Ottoman styles. Popular techniques included intaglio, repousse, filigree, chasing, niello, embossing and metal plating. One of the more popular techniques was “murassa”, which was the art of embedding precious and semi-precious stones into the surfaces of swords, daggers, book covers, crystal and porcelain.
Today, the centers of silverwork include the Black Sea region, Mardin and small workshops hidden away near the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul.
The abundance of natural resources required for tile and ceramic production were readily available and ensured that the products were of the highest quality. From items for everyday use in the home to decorative pieces that graced mansions and palaces, functional as well as ornamental ceramics had an important role in society. Iznik (formerly Nicaea) and Kütahya, both in Western Turkey, have been famous for centuries for quality of the ceramics they produce.
Now a world leader in ceramic production, Turkish producers make use of the latest technology for modern productions. The new creations are not only beautiful and imaginative, but also functional. Modern designs as well as the more traditional motifs are widely popular and grace tables and art collections in Turkey and across the globe.