"Gardens of Paradise: The Language of Flowers in Iznik Ceramics" Exhibition

The exhibition is abounding with selected collections of Iznik Ceramic decorated with flowers that were naturally depicted on artworks, as Ottoman art in general and ceramic arts in particular passed a turning point in the 16th century. The skilled craftsmen and potters enriched their visual repertoire to include artistic representation For the harmonious flowers of roses, birch, carnations, and tulips, this pattern of the "four flowers" departs from the previous geometric patterns, and focuses on depicting the types of flowers that were growing at that time in the gardens of Istanbul.
 
Some flowers also had a special symbolic significance, such as the tulip, whose Turkish name is (Lalah). The shape of the flower when opened, appears to draw the word “Allah”, as for the rose, it is only associated in our minds with the name of the Messenger of God, Muhammad (Peace be upon him) and by recalling the Qur’anic descriptions that mention the Gardens of Paradise, and this is an invitation to the visitor to contemplate the meanings of flowers and their connection to Paradise.