Kütahya ceramics with bird figures

m ABSTRACT KÜTAHYA CERAMICS WITH BIRD FIGURES Selma MANAZ Art History Anadolu University, Institute of Social Science, June 2004 Advisor: Associate Professor. Dr. Şerife ÖZÜDO?RU Kütahya has a speciality of being main arter, located in the westpart of central Anatolia, although the directions of the roads are altered quite often. Iznik has been the firs centere of Anatolian ceramic art during Turkish era. In Kütahya, the same type ceramics, which were named 14.th. century Milet Group, made of red clay, have been produced in Iznik except some details up to 17.th. century. The work shops maintaining their work through the support of the palace could not meet the orders of the palace in time and decreased in numbers to the end of the 17.th. century. In Kütahya, ceramics in different forms and patterns related with the request of the people were produced in the first half of 17.th. century and in 18.th. century. By means of these productions, Kütahya became not only a second center but also it proved its presence with its special forms and decorations. The best quality ceramics were produced in Kütahya in this period. On these ceramics, flowers with free brushing style, stilized leaves, dropping, climbing plant patterns, birds, fish and the figures of the people in local clothes were succesfully achieved. In 19.th. and 20.th. centuries, imitations of Iznik and Çanakkale ceramics were produced rather than ceramics reflecting local characteristics. In this research, the models of Kütahya ceramics from 18.th. century to 1950s has been studied. The patterns which were found in museums and collections have been determined with photographs and drawings. The bird figures ceramics have been classifed in groups according to their composition design. As a result of this research, it has been realized that the bird figures on ceramics were choosen within models according to the preference of people. The long period usage of bird figures with ceramics can be regarded as the sing of strong preference of people.