Alluring azure beyond the silk road

 

 

Minton Persian-blue-vase-attributed-to-Christopher-Dresser-exhibited-1862

Minton Persian blue vase designed by Christopher Dresser

1862

 

 

Out of the azure blue

 

During the latter half of the 1800’s, French ceramicist Theodore Deck was so impressed by the colours, lustre’s and glazes of the Iznik wares that he was motivated to reproduce them. He successfully achieved this after closely analysing some broken Iznik tiles obtained from the Middle East. The best known of his glazes was a turquoise/blue colour which became known as ‘Deck Bleu’ and it resembled the Azure blues which had consistent representation in architecture and art along the Silk Road trading network. The potter Eugène-Victor Collinot was also creating orientalist inspired wares at this time.
Similarly in England in 1875 , William De Morgan and designer Christopher Dresser also  experienced Persian phases where the Persian palettes of blue, turquoise, manganese purple, green, Indian red, and lemon all featured in there designs. In addition to this, during the latter half of the nineteenth century, the Persian decorations and azure blues also appeared from established ceramic companies like Longwy, Minton, Zsolnay, Sevres, Cantagalli and Louis Tiffnay glass designs. Just like the ubiquitous blue colour glazes and Oriental decorative styles had been developed and traded at  several pottery centres along the Silk Road from Jingdezhen to Rishtan and Iknik, they were also widely developed in Europe.

 

 

William De Morgan Islamic style lustre vase

 An hexagonal, Islamic style lustre tapering vase, painted by Fred Passenger, with panels of stylised peacocks and flowering foliage, in blue and silver lustre, for William De Morgan

 

 

 Eugène-Victor Collinot,orientalist porcelain bottle

Eugène-Victor Collinot, orientalist porcelain bottle with stopper

France 1867

 

 

Persian style ceramic vessel by Cantagalli

Persian style ceramic vessel with Alhambra style handles, calligraphic motifs – Cantagalli, Florence

 

 

Théodore DECK (1823-1891) earthenware with translucent azure blue glaze shaped 'ting' in the style of Chinese archaic bronzes.

Théodore Deck (1823-1891) earthenware with translucent azure blue glaze shaped ‘ting’ in the style of Chinese archaic bronze censer

 

 

 

Porcelain vase with long tapered neck and intertwined, twisted handle, raised on circular foot.

Zsolnay porcelain vase with long tapered neck and intertwined, twisted handle, artichoke motifs, Persian style

 

 

Theodore-Deck-arabesque-vase-with-ovoid-body-with-high-flared-neck

Theodore Deck arabesque vase styled after an oil lamp

 

 

Planet Neptune Azure blue

Planet Neptune Azure blue, Voyager photo

The azure blue colour was emulated in ceramics along the Silk route because the ancients in Egypt, Persia, China and other locations believed it was connected to Neptune and its associated qualities of compassion, good fortune and subtle mystical instincts. The Egyptians named Neptune Nu, which meant “primeval waters” and “ocean of aethers” and the oldest of the Egyptian Gods was also named Nu.

 

 

Galleon Vase De Morgan Collection-courtesy-of-the-De-Morgan-Foundation

Galleon Vase De Morgan Collection

courtesy the De Morgan Foundation, Britain

 

 

Doulton Lambeth Hispano Moresque-design-twin-handled-vase

Doulton Lambeth Hispano Moresque design twin handled vase

 

 

 

De Morgan_Sublime_symmetry vase with artichoke leaves

De Morgan – Persian motif symmetrical vase with artichoke leaves

 

 

Edmond-Lachenal-iznik-charger

Edmond Lachenal Iznik inspired charger with floral motifs and artichoke leaves

France 19th Century

 

vase--Iznik-floral-design-on-a-Lapis-Lazuli-deep-blue-background by William De Morgan

!9th century vase with Iznik floral design on a Lapis Lazuli deep blue background —  William De Morgan for Cantagalli, Italy

De Morgan met Ulisse Cantagalli while on a voyage to the Arabian Peninsula while studying Iznik pottery.

Liveauctioneers

 

 

 

 

Arch Glass 54  —  Noel Hart

 

 

Guido Gambone; blue ceramic pitcher,-1950s

Guido Gambone – blue ceramic pitcher

1950’s

 

 

Persian blue mosaic tiles

Morocco

 

 

Egyptian_blue_Altes_MuseumPyxis made out of 'Egyptian blue'. Important to Italy from northern Syria. Produced 750-700 BC

Pyxis made with ‘Egyptian blue’. Imported to Italy from northern Syria.

Produced 750-700 BC, Altes Museum

Egyptian blue was a pigment made up of a mixture of silica, lime, copper, and an alkali. Its colour was due to a calcium-copper tetrasilicate CaCuSi4O10 of the same composition as the naturally occurring mineral cuprorivaite. It was made in Egypt during the third millennium BC, and is the first synthetic pigment produced there, continuing in use until the end of the Greco-Roman period (332 BC–395 AD)

 

Timurid turquoise and blue tile with Kufic inscription, Persia

 

 

 

Theodore Deck Persian shape vase

Theodore Deck Persian shape vase

Sothebys

 

Antique Longwy French Pottery Islamic Inspired Enamelled Bottle Vase

Antique Longwy French Pottery Islamic Inspired Enamelled Bottle Vase

 

 

 

Sıtkı-Olçar-Mythic-Bird-Plate-Turkey

Sıtkı Olçar– Selcuk turquoise Mythic Bird Plate, Turkey

Nomad Son

 

 

 

Alhambra Vase, by Théodore Deck, Paris, 1862 France

Alhambra Vase, by Théodore Deck, Paris, 1862.

 

 

Theodore Deck ceramic planter/censer

Theodore Deck ceramic planter

 

 

Catalina Pottery female figural bookend

Catalina Pottery female figural bookend

 

 

Cyclope Pottery Annecy Emaux des GlaciersThree items from the Cyclope Pottery in Annecy, France. All are glazed with the typical blue Emaux des Glaciers, for which this pottery was renow

Three vessels all are glazed with the typical blue Emaux des Glaciers, for which this pottery was renown

Cyclope Pottery,  Annecy, France – Mid Century

 

Havana cruising  --  SVA NY

Havana cruising in blue —  SVA NY

 

 

Tall-vase-made-in-2002,-with-elliptical-shape-and-totemic-plant-like-decoration,-given-movement-by-vertical-hakeme-style-brushstrokes-under-a-transparent-glaze-Mitsuo-Shoji

Tall vase featuring elliptical shape and-totemic plant like decoration, given movement by vertical hakeme style brushstrokes under transparent glaze–Mitsuo Shoji

2002

 

 

Guarding the celestial nest

‘Guarding the celestial nest’ – Robbie Hood

2018

 

 

Azure-blue striped Mug---Tom

Azure-blue striped Mug — Tom

 

 

Cantagalli winged lion Italy

Cantagalli Persian blue winged lion, Italy

 

 

Silk road inspired ceramic vase-San Polo

Silk road inspired Persian motif ceramic vase – San Polo, Venice

Venice had a key link to the Silk Road through its intercontinental links with Byzantine Constantinople. Venetian merchants obtained the trading privileges from the Byzantine emperors that gave them a distinct advantage over their rivals from other western European cities.

 

 

Carrie-Gustafson glass sculpture

‘Liquid’ – Carrie Gustafson

 

 

Convict Lake Sunrise - Aravind Ravisankar

‘Convict Lake Sunrise’ – Aravind Ravisankar

 

 

Cyclope Pottery Annecy Emaux des GlaciersVase with pinched sides from the Cyclope Pottery, Annecy, France. Glazed in a thick turquoise, white and grey drip on a matt black ground.

Cyclope Pottery Annecy Emaux des GlaciersVase with pinched sides from the Cyclope Pottery, Annecy, France.

Glazed in a thick turquoise, white and grey drip on a matt black ground.

 

 

Swimming Dancing Octopus by Gabriel Barathieu-(France)

‘Dancing Octopus’ by Gabriel Barathieu-(France)

 

 

Delicate Arch - Aravind Ravisankar

Delicate Arch – Aravind Ravisankar

The complimentary colour for red ochre is an azure blue

 

 

Ming dynasty-lidded vessel with azure designs in relief

Ming dynasty lidded vessel with azure designs in relief

 

 

 

Dube Fontana Arte-Reverse Painted Glass Plaque

Dube Fontana Arte – Reverse Painted Glass Plaque

 

 

Frank Kovalchek--statue of blue glass -in a square on Murano,-Italy

Frank Kovalchek–statue of blue glass in a square on Murano, Venice

 

 

 

Fred Passenger design for William De Morgan,-V&A

Fred Passenger designed vase for William De Morgan,V&A

 

 

 

 

Inverness to Istanbul-Robbie Shade

Inverness to Istanbul – Robbie Shade

 

 

 

Twin spout stoneware vase - Michael Stein

Twin spout stoneware vase – Michael Stein

 

 

Jijtka Palmer hand painted ceramic plate

Jijtka Palmer hand painted ceramic plate

 

 

Joana Vasconcelos' installation at the 55th Venice Biennale

Joana Vasconcelos’ installation at the 55th Venice Biennale, 2013

 

 

 

Sirindhorn Wararam Phu Prao Temple--Thailand

Sirindhorn Wararam Phu Prao Temple–Thailand

 

 

Sheila Fournier Torn,-Layered, footed Ceramic Vessel

Sheila Fournier Torn —  Layered Ceramic Vessel

 

 

Rodeo Cove Small Sunset - photo by Joe Azure

Rodeo Cove Small Sunset – photo by Joe Azure

 

 

Raku, cerámica, escultura,-Juan Canfield,-escultor Cuernavaca México-2014,-RAKU-www-casacanfield-com

Raku, cerámica, escultura,-Juan Canfield,

Cuernavaca México, 2014

 

 

Querubim Lapa---Comptoir Su

Querubim Lapa tiled relief panel —Comptoir Su

 

 

Old Venetian Murano glass pitcher from the 1940s, magnificent aqua colored glass extensively decorated with Aventurina metallic copper flakes in the glass

Old Venetian Murano glass pitcher from the 1940’s, magnificent aqua colored glass, decorated with Aventurina metallic copper flakes in the glass

 

 

Noel Hart---Arch Glas 33

Noel Hart—Arch Glas 33

 

 

Neptune,coastal sculpture - Moana, Spain

Neptune coastal sculpture – Moana, Spain

 

 

Joana Vasconcelos’ installation at the Venice Biennale, 2013

 

 

Kate Reynolds raku bust

Kate Reynolds raku bust

 

 

Sculpture of a Lady Holding a Wine Glass Bronze Statue----NIFAO

Lady Holding a Wine Glass Bronze Statue—-NIFAO

 

 

Latchezar Boyadjiev---glass sculpture head

Latchezar Boyadjiev — blue glass sculpture head

 

 

Linda Jarouski mosaic art

Linda Jarouski

 

 

Louis Tiffany,lustre vase ca.-1897

Louis Tiffany,lustre vase

1897

 

Murano Mulan-–Glass Sculpture--Italy

Murano ‘Mulan’-–Glass Sculpture, Venice

 

 

Sierra-Starr-raku-vessels turquoise and jade

Sierra Starr raku vessels

 

 

Turkestan’s-Khoja-Ahmed-Yassaui-Mausoleum-is-without-doubt-Kazakhstan’s-finest-building-©-Maria-Oleynik=-=

Azure tiled dome

Turkestan’s Khoja Ahmed Yassaui Mausoleum

 

 

Vase, Colora. Designed by Vicke Lindstrand for Kosta, Sweden. 1950's.

Colora vase designed by Vicke Lindstrand for Kosta

Sweden. 1950’s.

 

 

Venice, Basilica di San Marco, north facade

Basilica di San Marco, north facade

Venice

 

 

Vintage-mid-century-modern-Italian-art-pottery-stem vase bowl Raymor

Vintage mid century modern Italian stem vase bowl by Raymor

 

 

Wendy Severson sculpture disc

Wendy Severson sculpture disc

 

 

Wrapped------Rosemary McClain--Spectrum Gallery----Height-12 inches

‘Wrapped’ —  Rosemary McClain

Spectrum Gallery—-Height 12 inches

 

 

Chocolate and turquoise dinner set Ukraine

Chocolate and turquoise dinner set, Ukraine

 

 

DV_porcelain_patterned_vase David Voorhees Pottery

DV porcelain patterned vase — David Voorhees Pottery

 

 

My oldest son in Havana in an azure Chevy Bel Aire. He was in Miami on route to Cuba when the azure meteor paid a visit. He was amused by the synchronicity with my recent azure fascination. (see below)

 

 

Polioshed Labradorite-Quartz Crystal-Gem Specimen Madagascar

Polished Labradorite Quartz Crystal Gem

Madagascar

 

Samir-Belhamra-azure skies

Samir Belhamra azure skies, Iceland

 

 

Azure blue sky NY

Bright azure blue sky NY, Dec 2018

 

 

Azure meteor March 30  2019, Florida

 

 

 

 

See also Azure allure along the Silk Road

 

 

 

 

2 Comments

  1. PETR RUITER
    Posted May 3, 2019 at 3:51 pm | Permalink

    Een overdonderende reportage hier van de Schoonheid
    van de schepping van Kunstenaars Handwerklieden Culturen
    en Wereld schoonheid , dit zou toch de Vrede kunnen brengen overal.

  2. Robbie Hood
    Posted May 4, 2019 at 11:19 pm | Permalink

    Translation of comment — ‘An overwhelming report here from Beauty of the creation of Artists, Handicrafts, Cultures
    and World beauty, this could bring Peace everywhere’.

One Trackback

  1. By Alluring azure beyond the silk road | Mugs Empire on April 13, 2019 at 8:08 pm

    […] post Alluring azure beyond the silk road appeared first on Ceramics and Pottery Arts and […]

Post a Comment

Your email is never published nor shared.