How Iznik Pottery is Made?

Traditional Iznik pottery making demands precision at every step. Each piece reflects 500 years of Ottoman ceramic art, handmade with exceptional quality.

Here's a breakdown of how Iznik pottery is traditionally made:

1. Preparation of the Ceramic Body (Biscuit)

The base, known as the "biscuit," is formulated with a high quartz content, often ranging from 65-85% ground quartz (also called frit or stone paste).

This high quartz content is a key characteristic of Iznik pottery, distinguishing it from common terracotta or ceramics and giving it a whiter, stronger, and more porcelain-like quality.

The quartz is mixed with a small amount of clay (around 8-13%) and a lead and lime-rich frit or crushed glass (15-18%). The clay provides plasticity, while the frit acts as a binder during firing. Sometimes, a more finely ground frit is used in the slip.

2. Shaping and Drying

The quartz paste is hand-formed into the desired shape (tiles, plates, vases, etc.) or thrown on a potter's wheel. The formed pieces are left to dry naturally for 10–30 days.

3. Application of Underglaze Slip

Once the pieces are dry, they are coated with a thin layer of white clay. This layer is smoother and finer than the rest of the piece, creating a clean, white surface that makes it easier to paint and helps the colors stick better.

4. First Round Firing

Once the pieces are dry, they are fired in a kiln at temperatures around 950 to 1050°C. The exact temperatures used in original Iznik pottery aren’t known, since wood-fired kilns were used back then.

(Some tourist shops claim higher temperatures, but this is not accurate and is often used to mislead customers unfamiliar with Iznik pottery and sell their products at higher prices.)

This first firing hardens the clay and prepares it for decoration.

5. Hand-painting (Decorating)

This is a crucial and detailed step that can take over 50 hours for each piece.

Traditional floral motifs, Rumi patterns, and many others are carefully hand-painted onto the pottery.

Artists usually begin by drawing the designs on paper (many use photocopies of antique Iznik patterns).

Next, they prick tiny holes along the design lines on tracing paper with a needle. This perforated tracing paper is then placed over the pottery, and charcoal dust is gently rubbed over it. The dust passes through the holes, leaving a dotted outline of the design on the pottery’s surface, which the artists then use as a guide for painting.

The outlines of the motifs are painted in black dye, while natural mineral pigments bring the colors to life: cobalt oxide for blue, copper oxide for turquoise, iron oxide for red, manganese oxide for purple, and chrome-based pigments for black and green.

6. Glazing

After painting, a clear, protective double-glaze is applied to the tiles or plates. This glaze, made from a traditional mix that includes lead, is one of the unique features of Iznik pottery. It enhances the brightness of the colors and gives the piece a glossy finish. Sometimes, tin oxide is added to make the glaze slightly opaque.

Because the glaze contains even a tiny amount of lead, Iznik pottery is not safe for food use. While some tourist shops might say otherwise, there are no official lead-free certificates for traditional Turkish ceramics, so it’s best to use these pieces for decoration only.

The glazed items need plenty of time to dry completely before the next steps.

7. Second Firing (Glost Firing)

The glazed piece is then fired in pottery kilns at temperatures ranging from 980 to 1100°C for 18 hours.

After this second firing, small cracks may sometimes appear on the surface, but the colors remain vibrant and will never fade or discolor.

In conclusion, the creation of Turkish Iznik pottery is a remarkable blend of skilled craftsmanship, careful attention to detail, and a profound knowledge of traditional materials and firing techniques.

Each piece reflects hours of meticulous handwork, from shaping and painting to glazing and firing, resulting in pottery that is not only visually stunning but also rich in cultural and historical significance.

My works honors the strict traditions of Iznik designs and the original techniques passed down through centuries, ensuring that every piece is reflection of this heritage. It is this unwavering devotion to authenticity that keeps the spirit of Iznik pottery alive and cherished by collectors and admirers worldwide.