Rüstem Paşa Tiles

Rustem Pasha Mosque Tiles

The tiles at the Rüstem Pasha Mosque are considered as an exceptional example of the unique richness and the outstanding artistic success of the Magnificient Süleymen period. Rustem Pasha tiles, which represents an artful culmination of centuries of evolution in ceramic art.

Sinan, the chief architect of Sultan Süleyman, who built this mosque, has not yet decided how to use this new environment in architecture. In his other works, he found that polychrome tile was more economical. The number of unusual motifs encountered in the mosque also indicates that the decorators and architects did not decide which designs to choose.

The mosque tile decoration was completed in 1561.

The Rustem Pasha Mosque represents a moment of change in the evolution of Turkish ceramics. It is accepted that the artistic excellence of the Rüstem Pasa tiles led to a synthesis of ceramic style, in fact, to the evolution of classical Ottoman Turkish style.

For a look at the rüstem pasha tiles and panels in our collection, visit the architecture department.