Tile panel, twelve square tiles, Damascus, 1575-1650

In the 16th century, Damascus became an important Ottoman provincial capital giving rise to new building schemes faced with tilework. Potters came to Damascus to work on the tilework. The designs were inspired by Iznik patterns, but were freed of the formality of the strictly controlled court designs, instead the Syrian patterns are more spontaneous and exuberant.

The colour palatte was also distinctive, relying on more softer colours than those favoured by Iznik potters in the 1540s, and without the use of a red. The designs have parallels in textile patterns which also have repeats. Panel of twelve square tiles of fritware, and painted in underglaze cobalt blue, sage green and black on a white slip, and with a design of floating vases and cypress trees, alternately arranged and separated by long scrolling floral stems which spring from short foliage. The vases contain hyacinths and carnations.

Along the top and bottom of the panel is a border of conventional foliated and floral ornament arranged in compartments. In a walnut frame.