Revival of Iznik Pottery

Named after the town in western Anatolia where it was first made popular, Iznik Pottery is a revival of the vividly painted ceramics and tiles of the Ottoman Empire. The intricate decorations on the hand-painted ceramics progressed from pure symmetry to subtle rhythms, incorporating ships, animals, trees, carnations, roses and of course, lots of tulips.

Mehmet Gursoy is a leading figure in the revival of Iznik Pottery. For over 30 years, Gursoy has been studying and producing art and ceramics, working to truly rediscover the secrets of the clay and unique colors of Iznik Pottery. His work is displayed in Turkish missions overseas, in private collections and in various museums, including the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations in Ankara and the Smithsonian’s Sackler Gallery of Asian Art in Washington, D.C