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_.Iznik Cini Tiles |
Turks have created the ever-lasting "cini" from three elements of creation: fire, soil and water. Cini is used for decorative purposes in homes, mosques, palaces, villas, and Turkish-baths. From dinner tables as plates, trays and glasses, to oil lamps, and architecture ornaments, cini is widely used in Turkish culture.
The production of original Iznik Cini (soft-paste porcelain) has stopped for the last 300 years. The extremely clean white lining, hard glaze and various ornamenting techniques used in the production process make these ceramics outstanding pieces of art. Although some of the craft secrets are lost today, Turkish artists are still following the traditional techniques they learn from their masters and historical sources. The derivation and the application of some of the colors used in cini, especially coral red, can be very difficult. Containing 85% quartz-quartzite of paste, lining and water combination, it is defined as extremely difficult to accomplish in ceramic literature. Because the combinations of quartz-clay-frit above 900 Celcius degree dissolve into a broad thermal spectrum. |
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The pores within the paste plaques form a web, help expansion and contraction in extreme temperatures, and let the wall they cover breathe. The colors are inspired by semiprecious stones. Red of coral, green of malachite, turquoise and emerald, dark blue of lapis lazulite are some of them. The whiteness of the lining is obtained by only minerals, without any other intermediate substance. Mild lusterless linings do not reflect the light too much and aren't weary for the eyes. The pattern designs reflect Anatolia's flora and fauna as well as allegoric and symbolic values. The geometrically plaited arrangements are the reflections of the relationship between the sky (celestial rules) and the individual; in other words, cosmologic philosophy. The cini ornaments in Turkish architecture used beautifully and modest; avoiding exorbitance. Special feature of the quartz used in Cini, absorbing electomagnetic waves, have positive effect in the rooms it exists by dissipating the negative energy around. The use of Cini in mosques proves also its acoustic property. |
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