Jug

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 Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II (r. 854-886 AH/1451-81 CE), whose appreciation for fine blue and white Chinese Ming porcelains inspired him to start making similar ceramics. As such, early Iznik pottery was blue and white, and largely influenced by Chinese motifs. This richly decorated jug was probably produced during the 10th century AH / 16th century CE. It has a globular body, cylindrical neck and an S-shaped handle, and is decorated with cobalt-blue, green and red Çintamani motifs outlined in black against a white ground. Çintamani means ‘auspicious jewel’ in Sanskrit, and in Buddhist iconography the motif represented auspicious flaming pearls; however, in the Ottoman context, the circles and wavy stripes are associated with tiger stripes and leopard spots, a symbol of power and courage.