<em>Flask in Two Sections with "Golden Horn” or Tugrakes Motif</em>, first half 16th century. Ceramic; fritware, painted in cobalt blue under a transparent glaze; 19th-century brass mount, 12 1/4 × 6 1/2 in. (31.1 × 16.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Special Middle Eastern Art Fund, 73.66.3a-c. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 73.66.3a-c_PS2.jpg)

Flask in Two Sections with "Golden Horn” or Tugrakes Motif, first half 16th century. Ceramic; fritware, painted in cobalt blue under a transparent glaze; 19th-century brass mount, 12 1/4 × 6 1/2 in. (31.1 × 16.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Special Middle Eastern Art Fund, 73.66.3a-c. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 73.66.3a-c_PS2.jpg)

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What is fritware?

Fritware is a type of ceramic material similar to the ancient Egyptian faience. "Frit" is a finely ground, glassy substance often made from quartz. Potters add an oxide to the frit which functions as a "flux" and lowers the melting point of the frit. This mixture can then be melted into a more fluid state and formed into tiles or vessels like you see in our gallery.

Fritware is stronger than traditional clay meaning that it can produce a greater variety of forms with thinner and more decorative walls. Fritware is also naturally white which, of course, takes color much more easily than a brown, earthenware body.

Tell me more.

The pattern you see on this flask is called the "Tuğrakeş Motif." The name is derived from imperial monograms called "tughra," which were included on official documents, royal decrees, and coins by Ottoman sultans. The sultan's name would be surrounded by illuminations in this style.

The Ottoman Empire became the most powerful political force in the Islamic World in the 16th century and Iznik, where this flask is from, was an important center of Ottoman ceramic production.

Always fascinated by the Ottoman Empire. Thanks.

How much do cobalt based pigments degrade with time?

Cobalt in ceramics is pretty durable. It can withstand firing in a kiln at very high temperatures and still retain its blue color! The vitrification firing process actually makes the pigment even more durable.

Cobalt is a metallic mineral pigment which typically means they are quite colorfast.

That's great to know. Thanks!

Were there later additions to this vase?

Yes, the ceramic body of this flask (from the early 16th century) likely included a tall neck that seems to have broken off in addition to what we see today. The vessel was cut into a base and a lid and the metal elements were added probably in the 19th century.

Flask in Two Sections with "Golden Horn” or Tugrakes Motif

Arts of the Islamic World

On View: Arts of the Islamic World, 2nd floor

MEDIUM Ceramic; fritware, painted in cobalt blue under a transparent glaze; 19th-century brass mount

Place Made: Iznik, Turkey

DATES first half 16th century

PERIOD Ottoman

DIMENSIONS 12 1/4 × 6 1/2 in. (31.1 × 16.5 cm) (show scale)

COLLECTIONS Arts of the Islamic World

ACCESSION NUMBER 73.66.3a-c

CREDIT LINE Special Middle Eastern Art Fund

PROVENANCE Prior to 1973, provenance not yet documented; by 1973, acquired by Charles Dikran Kelekian; May 15, 1973, purchased from Charles Dikran Kelekian by the Brooklyn Museum.

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EXHIBITIONS

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is on view in Arts of the Islamic World, 2nd floor

CAPTION Flask in Two Sections with "Golden Horn” or Tugrakes Motif, first half 16th century. Ceramic; fritware, painted in cobalt blue under a transparent glaze; 19th-century brass mount, 12 1/4 × 6 1/2 in. (31.1 × 16.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Special Middle Eastern Art Fund, 73.66.3a-c. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 73.66.3a-c_PS2.jpg)

IMAGE overall, 73.66.3a-c_PS2.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2009

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RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY

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