Rosette applications in İznik tiles

Rosette, which has an important place in Turkish decorations, has been a topic for research on carpet-rug and binding arts; however, it has not been examined in art of tile sufficiently. That is why; rosette form used in İznik tiles of classical period forms the main part of the research.Rosette, (Turkish: Şemse) which derives from Arabic word meaning sun (Şems), was firstly noticed in the tiles of Bursa Yeşil Tomb in Turkish art of tile. The application, which is the only one prepared with colored uncapping technique, has a form like a round one. The application was not in the catalogue because it was not İznik tile. İznik tiles of rosette applications, was produced with uncapping technique. The rosettes in these tiles are much like a round one or a classical shuttle form. The first rosette applications in uncapping technique were first noticed in Suleimanie Mosque. The first one of the applications is in the form of a classical shuttle, with little ornaments under and above of the rosette and in the composition of a cloud as well as standing on the corner inlays of the screens of locket shapes. The other application is similar to the form of a round, in the composition of a cloud and prepared in the style of addition.The rosette applications, designed in the form of a screen on its own, were firstly used in Eyup Sultan Tomb. The best examples of rosette application are available at Selimiye Mosque, Valide-I Atik Mosque, Siyavuş Pasha Tomb, Eyup Sultan Tomb, The Private Room of Murat III in Topkapi Palace, Tomb of Selim II and Sultan Ahmet Mosque. Throughout the examinations, it was seen that almost all of the rosette applications of 16th century were adorned with flowers of naturalist style, with borders handled elaborately and in the form of classical shuttle form. As for the applications of 17th century; mainly rumi compositions were preferred, borders are handled in a simpler way and rosettes are designed in a form similar to a round one. In the cataloguing process of the research, rosettes were grouped according to the centuries they belong to and the ones which belong to the same century were grouped according to the construction date of the buildings they stay on. As a result of the researches done, 120 rosettes of 31 buildings were catalogued. 103 of applications are different from each other totally in terms of features of color and pattern. The rosettes determined are examined in seven groups as periods, color of background, borders, compositions used, the little ornaments under and above, symmetry aspects and the area of usage. A chart showing how many rosettes there are on the determined buildings in each group was prepared and added as an appendix at the end of the thesis.