Julius Lessing, Turkish Faience Plate with Interlaced Pattern, 1890, Paper

Details

Description

-Turkish Faience Plate with Interlaced Pattern – Julius Lessing, Berlin 1890 : An elegant chromolithograph from Julius Lessing’s Persisch-Türkische Fayencen … Read more -Turkish Faience Plate with Interlaced Pattern – Julius Lessing, Berlin 1890 : An elegant chromolithograph from Julius Lessing’s Persisch-Türkische Fayencen (-Turkish Faience), published in Berlin by Ernst Wasmuth in 1890 as part of Vorbilder-Hefte aus dem Königlichen Kunstgewerbe-Museum, Heft 11. This plate (Tafel 12) reproduces a 16th-century -Turkish faience dish from the Kgl. Kunstgewerbe-Museum Berlin (Royal Museum of Decorative Arts, Berlin). This print captures the refined geometric and floral harmony of early Ottoman ceramic design. The plate features a symmetrical interlaced border of turquoise and cobalt bands forming a rhythmic lattice of eight-pointed star shapes enclosing orange blossoms. The central medallion presents a stylized floral arabesque with red, green, and ivory tones, creating a balanced dialogue between geometry and natural ornamentation. The design exemplifies the synthesis of and Anatolian traditions in Ottoman faience production, notably from Iznik workshops around the mid-16th century. The color palette of soft turquoise, deep cobalt blue, and sienna-red—hallmarks of Iznik ceramics—reflects the influence of Islamic geometry and vegetal symbolism, representing unity and eternal life. Drawn by Max Koch and printed by *Verlag Lith. Druck von Ernst Wasmuth, Berlin*, this lithograph exemplifies the meticulous craftsmanship and aesthetic sensibility of late 19th-century art publications. Under the guidance of Julius Lessing, the *Vorbilder-Hefte* series aimed to preserve and disseminate masterpieces of decorative art from museum collections worldwide, serving as invaluable resources for artists, craftsmen, and scholars. Condition report: Excellent preservation with bright, unfaded colors and crisp detail. Slight marginal toning, typical for age, but no stains or tears. Full margins intact. Framing tips: Best presented in a soft ivory or pale gray mat with a dark wood or bronze frame. Works beautifully as part of a coordinated display of Islamic or Oriental decorative designs. Technique: Chromolithograph Maker: Julius Lessing, Berlin, 1890 See less