Tile Panel with Decoration of Composite Flowers and Serrated Leaves

The Ottoman dynasty established the largest Islamic empire of the early modern era. At the peak of their powers in the sixteenth century, the Ottomans built numerous large architectural projects, especially in the capital city of Istanbul. Many of the projects were designed by the renowned architect Sinan. Ceramic tiles were part of his carefully planned interior and exterior decorations. Using blue, emerald green, and a bright red yielded a powerful palette visible at a distance. These colors, along with the newly developed modular square tiles, worked well for decoration that covered great expanses of wall. Larger, single tiles such as this one were used to highlight architectural elements such as doors and windows.