Interpretation of Ottoman copper coins with bird figures on ceramic forms and surfaces

Copper coins which was pressed, used and named as rhino in the establishment years of Ottoman Empire, stamps which there were sultan names, sultan stamps, animal figures, embroidery patterns on it, presents various studying fields. In Ottoman Empire bird figure, because it represents power, strength, ability, is highly important and special. Bird presentment was used in architecture, miniature, illuminated manuscript handicraft, adornment, ceramic art and even the coins they used in day-to-day life. Ottoman rhinos with bird figures are able to reach today with the developments on the areas of archeology and numismatic and they are exhibited in certain museums by a few piece collectors. Rhinos which are some kinds of Ottoman copper coins, both have an important value in terms of culture and are very rich pieces in terms of tissue. In this study, the bird figures and patterns on Ottoman rhinos are used on ceramic forms and surfaces by reinterpreting. During implementations, several shaping and embossing technics were used and original results were obtained. Key Words: Copper, Bird, Rhino, Money, Ceramic