Kashi gari is a term used in the East Indies to refer to the work of ceramics.

The kashi tiles work is characterized by the use of branches and flowers, with rich colours of  blue (dark blue and turquoise). The history of this region is punctuated by successive waves of invaders; the decor and colours are an evidence of Persian influence, which itself was influenced by the Mongols. This is why it is often said that the word comes from the name of the city of Kashgar (now Chinese Turkestan). All the mosques and shrines in this area are decorated in this refined and distinctive style, especially in Sindh and Multan. To mention only a few outstanding examples: the shrines of Shah Youssef Gardezi, of Shah Ruknee Alam, of Sultan Ali Akbar, of Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai, or the Elga mosque in Lahore.

      

Return to ceramic keywords

Enregistrer

Enregistrer

Enregistrer

Enregistrer

Enregistrer

Iznik tiles are the ceramic tiles produced from the last quarter of the 15^th century until the end of the 17th century.

Iznik is a town in north-west Anatolia, now in Turkey. Under the Byzantines the town was known as Nicea. The city was primarily known as the site of the first Ecumenical Council in the early history of the Christian church (325 AD). It was later famed for its highly decorated ceramic production during the Ottoman period.

Iznik ceramic ware was originally made in imitation of Chinese porcelain and were highly prized by the Ottoman sultans. Around 1550, beautiful tiles were produced to cover 3 great monuments: the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem, the Suleymaniye Mosque in Damascus, and the Suleymaniye complex in Istanbul.

Large collections of Iznik vessels and tiles are shown in the British Museum, Le Louvre, the Sèvres and Écouen Museums, etc.   Iznik tiles may be seen in quantity in the imperial and religious buildings of Istanbul.

 

 

Return to ceramic keywords

Enregistrer

Enregistrer

Enregistrer

Hispano-Moresque is a reference to Spanish artistic production inspired by the encounter between local Islamic and Christian arts.

Hispano-Moresque ceramic wares and tiles were made from the 13^th to the 16^th century, principally in Málaga, Valencia, Seville, and Toledo.

     

Return to ceramic keywords

Enregistrer

Enregistrer

Enregistrer

Enregistrer

A ceramic glaze is a layer of a glass-like substance which has been fired at high temperature. This coating is also called enamel.

Applied to ceramic ware it forms a protective moisture-proof coating. In addition to this functional aspect, it enables a variety of surface textures, including degrees of gloss and matt, and finished colour.

 

Return to ceramic keywords

A figura de convite is a typically Portuguese azulejo panel representing a human-size character: servant, courtier, guard, halberdier, etc.

Figura de convite panels are usually aimed at welcoming guests, hence the name.

 

 Return to ceramic keywords

Enregistrer

Enregistrer

Enregistrer

Enregistrer

Enregistrer

Figura avulsa tiles are typical Portuguese azulejos with a blue central motif and 4 simple elements in the corners.

The motifs in the centre of the tile can be flowers, characters, animals, boats, houses, etc. Because these motifs are rather simple, these tiles were generally painted by the apprentices working in tile studios. These tiles appeared at the end of the 17th century.

The kitchen of the Palacio de Correio-Mor is an outstanding example of the use of this type of azulejos.

In their composition, Figura avulsa azulejos are similar to the Dutch Delft tiles.

 

 

Return to ceramic keywords

Enregistrer

Enregistrer

Enregistrer

Enregistrer

Enregistrer

Faience or faïence is a French word for maiolica. It is the usual name in English for fine tin-glazed pottery.

The word derives from the name of the Italian city of Faenza, in the Romagna near Ravenna, a city well known since the 15^th century for its maiolica production.

Italian tin-glazed earthenwares was produced for export throughout Europe as early as the fifteenth century. Thence the common use of the word faience.

 

Return to ceramic keywords 

Engobe is a liquid clay applied on a baked ceramic (“biscuit“) to cover its surface.

The purpose of the engobe is to provide a ground for further decoration, to give colour to a piece, or to improve its surface texture.

 

Return to ceramic keywords

An enamel is a vitreous coating. See Glaze.

 

 

Return to ceramic keywords

The city of Delft was the capital of Dutch ceramic production. Delft faience is known as Delftware.

After the capture of Antwerp by the Spanish in 1585, Italian artisans settled in several Belgian and Dutch cities, including Delft. These craftsmen were strongly influenced by the tin-glazing techniques developed in Spain (see azulejo) and later-on in Italy. During the 17^th century, Delft factories began producing polychrome ceramics which copied Chinese Kangshi and Japanese Imari wares.

Blue Delftware was frequently copied in England and northern France in the 18^th century. Many 18^th century Delft tiles and murals can be admired throughout Europe, including Saint Petersburg, and in U.S. colonial houses.

See many examples in our gallery of Delft tiles.

             

 

Return to ceramic keywords

Enregistrer