16th century Ottoman period iznik tiles in Ankara Ethnography Museum

The pioneer of various civilizations, Bursa's Iznik district achieved its real fame in the Ottoman Empire after the 15th century. Iznik was a cultural giant in this period with its roots in the art tradition, continuity of production, the magnificence of the urban phenomenon and the presence of many artists. We see the first examples of Ottoman tile art in Iznik and Bursa. Technological developments that started in the middle of the 15th century, being close to Istanbul, the fact that it is on the trade route connecting Istanbul to both Anatolia and the Silk Road facilitates transportation, and being rich in trees of Iznik and its surroundings have been important factors for Iznik to make itself competent in the field of ceramics and tiles. The Ottoman Empire's use of tiles as an element of decoration in its architectural works in the lands spread over a wide geography, especially the use of tile ornaments in the works of Mimar Sinan, has been among the contributions made to the production of Iznik. With the technological developments in Iznik, the red paste tiles have been replaced by thin, white slipped, white paste, glossy, aemail ombranted blue-white tiles in the underglaze technique. The 18 works, which we can define as the peak of Ottoman tile art in Ankara Ethnography Museum, are important in terms of the quality of the works of the period. Definitions, ornaments, materials and periods of 16th century Ottoman period Iznik tiles in 18 works in the museum have been examined. Keywords: Ankara Ethnography Museum, Ottoman Empire, Iznik, Tile Ar