The Comparative Study of Iran's Kubachi Earthenware (Safavid Period) and Turkey's Iznik Earthenware (Ottoman Period)

The similarity between underglaze painted earthenware, so-called "Kubachi” in the Persian Safavid period and Turkey’s Iznik pottery in Ottoman period has raised questions about the similarities with regard to motif and color between these earthenware and whether the Iznik earthenware take effect from the Kubachi ones? The art of pottery in the Safavid period had much prosperity and diverse earthenware came into existence, including gilt earthenware, haft-rang, blue and white, celadon, Gambron and Kubachi. Kubachi earthenware is a type of Safavid earthenware from the 16th century, the majority of which was found in Kubachi of the regions of Azerbaijan and Tabriz. This type of earthenware was often decorated by Khatay motifs and variety of colors. Similar earthenware were also found in Turkey’s Iznik region which largely conform in respect of design and color so that it seems they have effectively impacted each other. The aim of the research is to investigate the similar samples in Iran and Turkey. It seems that the Iznik earthenware were affected by the Kubachi earthenware through the attachment of Ottomans to ancient Persia and following the seizure of the Safavid government treasury in Tabriz and plundering many valuable artworks and the transmission of numerous artists of that region to Turkey (Ottoman capital). Beside the difference in the type of Kubachi free designing and Iznik symmetric patterning, the way those potteries are made, outline decorations and border of these potteries, and also their joint colors indicate their mutual impact in specific periods of time. This article first of all introduces the two kinds of earthenware, and investigates their relations and parameters that show that Kubachi earthenware influence those of Iznik. In spite of the available references, a comprehensive study on the comparison between these two kinds of earthenware has not been conducted, to date.