Jug

Iznik pottery is named after the town of Iznik, in western Anatolia (modern day Turkey), where it was initially made. It started being produced during the reign of Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II (r. 854-886 AH/1451-81 CE), whose appreciation for fine blue and white Chinese Ming porcelains inspired him to start making similar ceramics; however, a century later Iznik production expanded and evolved to include polychrome vessels, like this jug. Probably produced between 967-972 AH/1560-65 CE, this jug has a bulbous body that extends to a cylindrical splayed neck with an S-shaped handle attached. The jug is painted entirely with alternating vegetal motifs consisting of red floral sprays, stemming from a single vegetal tuft, and blue cypress trees. A narrow geometric band separates the body and neck. At the bottom of the jug's base is a small painted black flower, most likely a marker's mark.