Ottoman Iznik pottery tile with bird and fountain motif
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
Early 17th century
This rectangular Iznik pottery tile dates to the early 17th century. Produced in Ottoman Turkey, it features a white ground decorated with a vibrant polychrome palette including cobalt-blue, bole-red, and green.
The design depicts a bird with a curved beak and talons perched near a fountain, from which hyacinth branches emerge. This central scene is surrounded by a sprawling vine motif composed of scrolling saz leaves and various flowerheads.It is believed that such tiles were likely produced for private residences rather than religious structures, which typically favored abstract floral motifs, arabesques, or calligraphic inscriptions.
The tile measures approximately 10 3/8 x 7 inches (26.2 x 17.7 cm) and displays areas of restoration.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Physical characteristics
- Material
- pottery
- Dimensions
- 10 3/8 x 7 in (26.2 x 17.7 cm)
Technical characteristics
- Form
- rectangular
Design
- Colors
- cobalt-blue, bole-red, green, white ground
- Motifs
- bird with curved beak and talons, fountain, hyacinth branches, scrolling saz leaves, flowerheads
Identification
- Source note
- Described from a single auction-house listing published on Invaluable (reproduced with Invaluable's permission). Details apply to that one example; other examples of the type may differ, and the listing is supplementary evidence, not authentication.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.