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This tile lunette exemplifies the fine craftsmanship of ceramicists working in the western Anatolian town of Iznik during the second half of the sixteenth century. It may have originally rested above a window or doorway at the Palace of Piyale Pasha or the Piyale Pasha Mosque, both in Istanbul. It is also possible that the tiles were extras, routinely produced in Iznik.
Over the later part of the sixteenth century, Iznik tile makers gradually incorporated into their palette green, purple, and, finally, the red used here to such great effect.The white background, difficult to achieve in such purity, was a way for the ceramicists to show off their mastery, and worked particularly well in wall facings.
Tile Lunette
Ottoman Empire
about 1573
Object Place: Iznik, Turkey
Medium/Technique
Fritware with polychrome decoration under clear glaze
Dimensions
Overall: 70.2 x 141.4 x 9.2 cm (27 5/8 x 55 11/16 x 3 5/8 in.)
Credit Line
Bequest of Mrs. Martin Brimmer
Accession Number06.2437
CollectionsAsia, Islamic Art
This tile lunette exemplifies the fine craftsmanship of ceramicists working in the western Anatolian town of Iznik during the second half of the sixteenth century. It may have originally rested above a window or doorway at the Palace of Piyale Pasha or the Piyale Pasha Mosque, both in Istanbul. It is also possible that the tiles were extras, routinely produced in Iznik.
Over the later part of the sixteenth century, Iznik tile makers gradually incorporated into their palette green, purple, and, finally, the red used here to such great effect.The white background, difficult to achieve in such purity, was a way for the ceramicists to show off their mastery, and worked particularly well in wall facings.
DescriptionTile lunette possibly from the palace or mosque of Piyale Pasha, an Ottoman admiral. Composed of sixteen tiles, decorated in blue, green, and raised red, in a repertory of cloudbands and fantastic plant forms--lotus flowers, bent stems, and jagged leaves.
ProvenanceMartin Brimmer (b. 1829 - d. 1896), Boston; 1896, bequeathed to his widow, Mary Ann Timmens Brimmer (b. 1827 - d. 1906), Boston; 1906, bequeathed by Mrs. Martin Brimmer to the MFA. (Accession Date: November 8, 1906)