Iznik Tile with Cloud-band Motif

Iznik pottery is named after the town of Iznik, in western Anatolia (modern day Turkey), where it was initially made. The earliest evidence of Iznik production occurred during the reign of the Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II (r. 854-886 AH/1451-81 CE), whose appreciation for fine blue and white Chinese Ming porcelains inspired potters to start making similar ceramics.
This square tile dates to the second half of the 10th century AH/16th century CE, a period considered to be the height of Iznik pottery, when panels started being produced to decorate important buildings, both secular and religious. It shows the introduction of new colours such as fire-red - which was developed by Iznik potters around the 960s AH/1560s CE This tile is decorated with red and white cloud-bands, tulips and green serrated leaves, set against a deep blue and turquoise ground.