The art of Turkish ceramics' roots can be traced at least as far back as the Uighurs of the 8th and
9th centuries. Its subsequent development was influenced by Central Asian Karakhanid,
Ghaznavid, and (especially) Seljuk art. With the Seljuks'
victory over the Byzantines at Malazgirt in 1071, the art followed them
into Anatolia and embarked upon a new period of strong development
fostered by the Anatolian Seljuk sultanate.
Turquoise was the most frequently-used color for glaze although cobalt
blue, eggplant violet, and sometimes black were also popular.
The art of Turkish tile and ceramic-making developed over the centuries
incorporating many different techniques and styles. Enriched by the
arrival of the Seljuks, the ceramic industry in Anatolia achieved a
deservedly worldwide reputation with the support of the Ottoman court.
Today, Kutahya has been revived as an important center of tile and
ceramic-making. In addition, efforts are also being made in private
workshops and educational institutions in Iznik, Istanbul, Bursa and Antalya to
keep the art of traditional Turkish tiles and ceramics alive and develop
it so that it can address the demands of modern-day life.
