Group of Eight Wall Tiles

When these tiles were made in the 16th century, Syria was a province of the Ottoman Empire, which spanned an area from Eastern Europe to Iraq to North Africa. Ottoman styles originating in the capital, Istanbul, were emulated in the provinces. In Damascus, tiles of extraordinary quality were made in a style similar to those produced at Iznik, in modern Turkey, for the court in Istanbul. The main difference is that the Damascus potters focused on blue, green and sometimes purple on a brilliant white background, while the Iznik potters incorporated the color red. A floral composition such as this one could be extended indefinitely to cover as much surface as needed. Large quantities of Damascus tiles were made to decorate the porches and interior walls of the many buildings constructed in Syria during this prosperous era.