Turkish Tile Painting

The art of Turkish tiles and ceramics occupies a place of prominence in the history of art. Its roots can be traced at least as far back as the Uighurs of the 8th and 9th centuries. Its subsequent development was influenced by Karakhanid, Ghaznavid, and (especially) Seljuk art.

With the Seljuks’ victory over the Byzantines at Malazgirt in 1071, the art followed them into Anatolia and embarked upon a new period of strong development fostered by the Anatolian Seljuk sultanate. In later years the ceramic industry in Anatolia achieved a deservedly worldwide reputation with the support of the Ottoman court. Today, Kutahya is an important center of tile and ceramic-making and artists in Turkey are designing some of the finest tiles in the World.