COMPARAISON OF ITALIAN MAIOLICA AND IZNIK CERAMICS IN THE CONTEXT OF TECHNICAL, DESIGN AND STYLE (XV. -XVII. CENTURIES)

Abstract

The Ottoman Empire and Italy spent the most brillant years of the ceramic art between 15th and 17th centuries. The production of ceramic started as of the end of 15th century in Iznik with a new and aesthetical understanding besides the ceramic produced so far. Multicentric production had been initiated also in the Italian territory at the same century and the ceramics called maiolica, reflecting a new technique and aesthetic, took its place in the art diversity of Renaissance's Italy. Iznik ceramics and Italian maiolicas had been the subject of many studies seperately. However, studies, examining the relationship between these two ceramic traditions, are relatively scarce. This study aims to contribute to the literature in this area by comparing these two ceramic traditions. It primarily analyzes the history of these two traditions and their techniques, motifs and styles. The relationship and interactions of Iznik ceramics and Italian maiolicas constitute the core of the study. Medici porcelains which are closely related to maiolica ceramics are integrated into the study because of their relation with Iznik ceramics. These two ceramic tradions share similarities on the basis of their historical pattern, their differences from their forerunners, and their interest in Chinese porcelain. However, they differ in terms of main production techniques. The interaction of the traditions is observed in the areas of technique, motif and style.