The flourishing art of ceramic tiles

For centuries Turkish tiles, with their bright colours and superior craftsmanship, have dazzled and mesmerised travellers. An important part of Turkey's artistic heritage, tiles can be found adorning both ancient and modern buildings across the country. Istanbul's famous Sultan Ahmet Mosque is also known as the Blue Mosque in recognition of the more than 21,000 blue-and-white tiles lining its interior.

The ceramic arts are thought to have been developed in Anatolia during the time of the Uyghurs in the 8th and 9th centuries. With the arrival of the Seljuks in the 11th century, this art form continued to grow. Çini, the art of glazed ceramic tile making, was an important feature of the architecture and tiles were used to adorn mosques, schools, tombs and palaces. Intricate designs emerged as plant motifs, geometric shapes and calligraphic patterns were created in a variety of colours including shades of turquoise, blue, purple, yellow, black and green.

Under Ottoman rule, the town of İznik (Greek Nicaea, near Bursa) became the leading producer of tiles from the 14th to the 18th century. Traditionally, İznik tiles were blue and white, but after the 1540s turquoise began to be used, as well as the distinctive coral red that was unique to tiles from this area. The most common motifs from this period are flowers, fruits, vegetables and trees. Stylised versions of flowers abounded, including hyacinths, tulips, roses, lilies and carnations. These early patterns are still popular and can be found at shops across the country.