Azure allure along the Silk Road

 

 

Diyorjon-Diyor,-Rishtan-ceramic-vessel

Rishtan ceramic vase with paisley decoration   –  Diyorjon Nazirov

 

Trading on the Silk Road played a significant role in the development of the civilizations of China, Korea, Japan, India, Iran, Afghanistan, Europe and Arabia. Many pottery centers flourished along its route including Jingdezhen in China, Iznik in Turkey, Kashan in Persia, Basra in Iraq, Tabriz in Iran (Azerbaijan), Rishtan in Uzbekistan and Arita in Japan.
They fostered multi-cultural interaction and in addition to economic trade, the Silk Road became a  route for cultural trade among the civilizations along its network. Along with the goods traded, their philosophies, art techniques, sciences, religious concepts and technologies were shared. For instance, techniques, shapes, and decorative motifs of Chinese ceramics were admired and emulated by Islamic potters, especially after the Mongol and Timurid invasions. Likewise, Islamic pottery styles were absorbed and created by the Chinese for gaining  penetration into the markets of Central Asia and the Middle East.

Numerous pieces are on display below of the ubiquitous, vibrant turquoise and azure wares that traversed the Silk Road from China to Europe and the artistic influences that spread from Central Asia and beyond.

 

Iznik pottery jug_ottoman Turkey circa 1560

Iznik pottery jug, Turkey circa 1560

 

 

Plate with Youth in Landscape Setting. Safavid period, early 17th century. | Iran | Cincinnati Art Museum

Plate with Youth in Landscape Setting. Safavid period, early 17th century,  Iran

Cincinnati Art Museum

 

Ceramic panel depicting a woman playing a lute inside Alisher Navoi station.

Uzbek ceramic panel depicting a woman playing lute

Alisher Navoi station, Tashkent

 

 

 

Rustam Usmanov horse riding hunter plate

Rishtan

 

 

Azure vase with minaret inspired base

 

 

Rishtan ceramic plates and vases

Uzbek Rishtan ceramics

 

 

Alisher Nazirov ceramic plate in “Ishkor” blues

 

One of the oldest locations for the ceramic arts in Central Asia is situated in Rishtan, located in the Ferghana Valley, in Uzbekistan. Currently there are over 2000 active potters, accounting for about 1/10 of the population, honoring their ancient pottery tradition. This stretches back over 1000 years, when it was a thriving center during the days of the Silk Road. Celebrated for their diverse blue hues, their colour pallettes range from deep cobalt blues to azure and turquoise.

 

Ceramic tile panel – Rustam Usmanov, Rishtan

 

The renowned ‘Ishkor’ glaze is closely connected with the art of traditional Uzbek ceramics, and is a source of pride for the “Usto” (Uzbek pottery masters) This is influenced by a local herb called Kyrk-Bugin, which translates as “forty stems” and is only harvested in Autumn (September). After harvesting, the plant is then burnt in the field and converted into ashes, then roasted again in the studio in a “gundam” oven at a temperature of 1200-1300 °F , thereby bringing the ashes to a crystallized state.
This is then ground into a powder and mixed with crushed white river stones, quartz sand and even flour and painted as a glaze onto ceramic articles over pre applied colours that have already dried.
Cobalt can be added to the ishkor glaze to create turquoise, azure and blue colors while copper is added for green hues and manganese for browns. The presence of the Ishkor is attributed to creating the rich color depth and brilliance of the Rishtan ceramics.

 

Kyrk-Bugin, a special herb and a critical component of the Rishtan ‘Ishkor’ glaze

 

 

Rustam Usmanov ceramic 'ishkor' blue wares in carved cabinet

Rustam Usmanov ceramic ‘ishkor’ blue wares, Rishtan, Ferghana Valley

 

 

Bowl with Arabic Inscription, 'Blessing, Prosperity, Well-being, Happiness' Late 10th to 11th century--Nishapur

Bowl with the Arabic Inscription of ‘Blessing, Prosperity, Well-being, Happiness’

Late 10th to 11th century–Nishapur — The Met

 

The Samanids (819-999 CE) were probably one of the most important dynasties in the eastern part of the Islamic world during the early Islamic period. Their realm included large centres like Samarkand (Afrasiyab), Bukhara, Merv, Nishapur and Kerman. The most important contribution of Samanid artists to Islamic pottery-making was the invention and perfection of the slip-painted ware. There are several types of this ware known today, and in general can be divided into the following main groups black on white, polychrome on white, decoration on coloured ground slip imitation of monochrome lustre.

These slip-painted wares constitute a great advance in pottery decoration. Normally the pigment runs in the kiln under the lead glaze, as it was practiced in Mesopotamia in early Abbasid times on splashed wares. By the introduction of a ground slip and slip pigments, potters could control the designs while in the kiln, and thus were able to produce a great variety of surface decorations.

 

Nonrthern Qi ceramic flask with Central Asian dancer and musicians

Northern Qi ceramic flask with Central Asian dancer and musicians

 

 

 

large Jingdezhen blue and white charger for the Islamic market, Jingdezhen, China, 17th century---Southebys

Large Jingdezhen blue and white charger made for the Islamic market

China, 17th century—Southebys

 

 

Tang earthenware fragment with sancai glaze_end_of_7th_early_8th_century_excavated in Nishapur, Iran

Tang earthenware fragment with sancai glaze excavated in Nishapur, Iran

End of 7th, early 8th century

 

 

Antique Russian Islamic style silver and enamel vase

Antique Russian Islamic style silver and enamel lidded vessel

 

 

 

Pair of Chinese cloisonné enamel camel censers 20th century;

Pair of Chinese cloisonné enamel camel censers with gold highlights

20th century

 

 

Kashan star shaped lustre pottery tile with phoenix,Persia,-13th-century

Kashan star shaped lustre pottery tile with phoenix,Persia, 13th century

Arts of the Islamic World Auction – Sotheby’s

 

Persian Kashan turquoise glazed bottle,  circa 1200

With spherical body on short foot rising to the tearing tubular neck & flaring deep cusped mouth with everted lip

 

 

 

rare Kashan Minai Bowl depicting Faridun, Kava and Zahhak, Persia, late 12th-early 13th century

Rare Kashan Minai Bowl depicting Prince Faridun, Kava and Zahhak from Firdawsi’s Shahnameh

Persia, late 12th-early 13th century

 

 

Pair of Iznik vases

Pair of Iznik vases

 

Ottoman Kütahya Plate

Ottoman Kütahya Plate

 

 

Boch Freres Keramic Art Deco Vase in the Iznik Style

Boch Freres Keramic Art Deco Vase in the Iznik Style, Belgium

 

 

Caravanserai_of_Sa'd_al-Saltaneh

Caravanserai_of_Sa’d_al-Saltaneh

Qazvin

 

 

Uzbekistan green bowls

Green Uzbek porcelain bowls

 

 

 

Chinese Cloisonne Vase-–-Islamic-Motifs

Chinese Cloisonne Vase-–-Islamic Motifs

 

 

Coupe Porcelain turquoise Plate-(Bukhara)

Coupe Porcelain turquoise Plate

Bukhara, Uzbekistan

 

 

Peacock dish with artichoke decoration. Turkey, 'Iznik', c. 1550.

Peacock dish with artichoke and leaf decoration. Turkey, ‘Iznik’

c. 1550.

Islamic Arts

 

 

Persian tile, 19th century--National-Museums-Scotland

Persian tile, Falconer riding white horse

19th century–National-Museums-Scotland

 

 

Donkey rotating clay grinding stone

Donkey rotating  grinding stone for clay

 

 

The Kalta Minar turquoise Minaret, Khiva, Uzbekistan

The Kalta Minar Minaret, Khiva, Uzbekistan

 

 

A pair of English Ironstone Vases in the Manner of Turkish Iznik Ware

Two English Ironstone Vases in the Manner of Turkish Iznik Ware

 

 

Female street vendor in Bukhara with ceramic wares

Female street vendor in Bukhara with ceramic wares

 

 

Hand made blue pottery of Jaipur,-another-icon.-Originated-in Iran, came to Rajasthan in the early 1800's

Hand made blue pottery of Jaipur, another iconic piece that originated in Persia and came to Rajasthan in the early 1800’s

 

 

Hand painted ceramics, Rishtan, Uzbekistan

foto by Ana Filonov

 

 

Ceramics_of_The_Narzullaevs-Gijduvan_Bukhara

Ceramics figure of a potter – The Narzullaevs Gijduvan

Bukhara, Uzbekistan

 

 

 

Massive-fortress-called-the-Ark-is-perhaps-the-oldest-building-in-Bukhara

Massive fortress called the Ark — perhaps the oldest building in Bukhara

 

 

Colorful Bird of Happiness plate -- Uzbekistan

Colorful Bird of Happiness plate — Uzbekistan

 

 

Turkish Iznik ceramic bowl set

Turkish Iznik ceramic bowl set

 

 

Iznik Ceramic Tile by OHANNESSIAN, Renowned Armenian Potter in Jerusalem c 1930s

Iznik Ceramic Tile by Ohannessian, renowned Armenian Potter

Jerusalem

c 1930’s

Iznik ceramic wares---Flickr--Shahrazad26

Iznik ceramic wares—Flickr Shahrazad

 

 

Turkish ceramic Bottle with medallions and flowering branches.-Turkey,-'Iznik',-c.-1535-45

Turkish ceramic Bottle with medallions and flowering branches.

Turkey, ‘Iznik’, c.1535-45

 

 

Nasrudin Khodja riding his donkey

Nasrudin Khodja riding his donkey, Bukhara

 

 

Lobmeyr Persian-style gilded and enamelled two-handled clear glass bottle vase, Vienna, 19th-20th century

Lobmeyr Persian-style gilded and enamelled two-handled clear glass bottle vase

Vienna, 19th-20th century

 

Silver and Enamel Islamic lidded vessel

Silver and Enamel Islamic lidded box

 

 

Monumental Jacob Petit porcelain sherbetlik made for the Ottoman market, France, 19th century

Monumental French Jacob Petit porcelain sherbetlik made for the Ottoman market

19th century

 

 

Moorcroft 'Bukhara' vase by Shirley Hayes, 2001,

Moorcroft ‘Bukhara’ vase by Shirley Hayes

2001

 

 

Plate with twin fish motif -- Rustam Usmanov, Rishtan, Uzbekistan

Pisces plate

Rustam Usmanov, Rishtan, Uzbekistan

 

 

Rustam Usmanov ceramic azure/turquoise plates

Rustam Usmanov Studio plates

 

 

Large ceramic charger--Rishtan

Large ceramic charger — Rishtan

 

 

rishtan_pomegranate_cross_platter

Rishtan pomegranate platter

 

 

 

Rishtan-pottery-teapot and cups

Rishtan pottery teapot and cups

 

 

 

Alisher Nazirov with his Rishton wares

 

 

Samarquand-Tabriz-bowl--1400-1600 AD

Samarquand Tabriz bowl–Stonepaste; painted in black under turquoise glaze, incised (Kubachi-ware)

second half 15th century

 

 

Traditional-Uzbek-mastava-soup-–-with-lamb,-vegetables-and-rice-–-served-with-patterned-flatbreads--Hazel-Plush

Traditional Uzbek mastava soup-–-with lamb, vegetables and rice-–-served with patterned flatbreads and Uzbek dinner ware

 

 

Bronze sculpture -- Uzbek Girl with a Jug by Vera Mukhina----1933

Bronze sculpture — Uzbek Girl with a Jug by Vera Mukhina—-1933

 

 

Uzbekistan, Samarkand, Registan, Minaret of Tilla Kari Madressa

Ceramic tiled Minaret of Tilla Kari Madressa

Uzbekistan, Samarkand, Registan,

 

Fergana Airport, Uzbekistan

 

 

teahouse-in-Margilan,-Fergana-Valley,-2006

Teahouse in Margilan, Fergana Valley

 

 

Monumental Uzbek vase

Monumental blue and white Uzbek vase

 

 

Rich turquoise and blue glazed ceramic vase

Rich turquoise and blue glazed Uzbek ceramic vase

 

 

Uzbekistan Rishtan potter on wheel

Uzbekistan Rishtan potter on wheel

 

 

Uzbekistan potter Bakhtiyor Nazirov-and his pottery

Bakhtiyor Nazirov with his pottery

Rishtan

 

 

 

Turkish Sitki-olcar-ceramic-candle-holder

Sitki Olcar candle holder – Turkey

 

 

Colorful Middle Eastern Vase with floral motif

Middle Eastern Vase with floral motif and calligraphy

 

 

Arabesque calligraphic motif

Arabesque calligraphic motif on a Uzbek plate

 

 

Iznik 16th Century vase

Iznik 16th Century vase

 

 

 

relief at the exit to Buyuk Ipak Yuli-(Great Silk Road)-station -- photographer, Amos Chapple

Large relief at the exit to Buyuk Ipak Yuli (Great Silk Road) station in Tashkent, Uzbekistan

photographer, Amos Chapple

 

 

Relief mural at Almaty

Relief Silk Road mural at Almaty

 

Tile-fragment,-Bukhara,-about-1359

Tile fragment, Bukhara, about 1359

Uzbekistan

 

 

Iran, probably Kashan, Seljuk Period, 12th-13th Century, fritware with design in carved and underglaze-painted slip

Iran, probably Kashan  — fritware with running animal design in carved and underglaze-painted slip

Seljuk Period, 12th-13th Century

 

 

 

 

1 Comment

  1. Posted February 22, 2024 at 4:00 am | Permalink

    To who it my concern!
    My name is Phillup Brinkman
    I can not post pictures here, so if you would have to send me a link to my gmail that I can past photos to send you of the vase.
    Is my vase of Chinese manufacture, or Persian, or Syrian, for example? I want to know the place of manufacture, and the date of manufacture? I do not want a value, just knowledge.
    I have a large vase with two dragon head handles on each side, grabbing the lip of the jar like the classic Tang Dynasty example’s, and black decoration under a rich turquoise blue glaze. It has a beautiful crazing, or crackle under the glaze., and is a large 14” inches tall. The vase was lamped in the 1920’s, so it is not of new manufacture. It resembles to me like some wares from Ayyubid Syria.
    I thought only the Chinese made this type of stoneware vase, copying the early Islamic Persian metal vases in the Cizhou ware style. However, I have not found a similar example any ware with this glaze, and black decoration.
    The color resembles early Persian, or Chinese wares with the turquoise glaze.
    It makes me wonder if any found in China where ever actually ever made in China.
    Thank you for your help!
    Phillup Brinkman
    [email protected]

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  1. By Alluring azure beyond the silk road on April 13, 2019 at 6:17 pm

    […] See also Azure allure along the Silk Road […]

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