Topkapi Palace Tile with Floral and Cloud-band Design
This ornate tile once adorned a wall of the Ottoman Topkapi Palace in Istanbul. Commissioned by Sultan Murad III and produced by skilled artisans in the lavish kilns of Iznik in modern-day Turkey, this tile was located specifically within the sultan’s harem. When placed alongside identical tiles, this piece becomes part of an elaborate repeating design across the walls of the sultan’s private bedroom. The tile features ornamentation representing vegetal and natural themes common in Islamic art, including floral and cloud motifs. However, its bold and colorful aesthetic intentionally reflects the unique splendor and power of the Ottoman ruler. Its extravagance acts as a visual reinforcer of Murad III’s rule over those closest to him within the harem.
Topkapi Palace Tile with Floral and Cloud-band Design - Catalogue Entry