When the humankind established civilization, he first used water, then soil and fire. Finally, each of them, human brain, human creativity and human dexterity stepped in. Water, soil and fire came together in Anatolia where the oldest sagas of the humankind were lived.

Whereas in this area which opened doors to numerous civilizations such as Lydia, Hittite, Urartu, Byzantine, Seljuq and Ottoman, and witnessed the vital changes in human history, the very first ceramics were begun to made at Çatalhöyük in 6000 BC, Yang-Shao Culture under the China civilization would wait for 2000 years to make their first ceramics.

Ceramics… It is a tradition that was born in Anatolian lands 8000 years ago.

Ceramics of which history is as old as human history, has confronted many times in different shapes throughout the history. Sometimes it was used as a pot, a bowl, an oven; or as a jug, an ornament or even as a toy… It is a tool that bears the stamps of different cultures and sets light to history. It is also an important and fascinating document that illuminates the past.

When we look at the origin of the ceramic that has come across in our daily lives since ancient times, one can see that it is a great invention which has not been quited, and it is also respectful to the nature and it has artistic values.

Ceramic of which main material is soil, entered the daily life of mankind in a specific era and since then it has been uninterruptedly used. When we look at the histories of ancient civilizations, we come across ceramics in each part of their lives such as, religious figures, architecture, kitchenwares and communication tablets. When one looks at the styles of ceramics in the history of Anatolian civilization, he can see that this process indicates the development of humankind and history of civilization.

Mankind who firstly hunted and later gathered foods, settled down after 10.000 – 8.000 BC which is also known as Neolithic Era and began to produce their own food. In this period, humankind stepped into the creation of ceramics by mixing the elements they collected.

The very first examples concerning the ceramic art are from Anatolia.

The oldest findlings also belong to Anatolia. The ceramic pots and pans that were found at Hacilar and Alacahöyük which are accepted as one of the oldest settlements of humankind belong to 6000 BC. These creations are the first authentic and artistic works that were given through the process of making ceramics.

The production of ceramics beginning with Neolithic Period, does not only appear as a daily used tools such as pots. Anatolian people who were fascinated by the resistance of ceramics, gave shapes not only to religious idols such as Mother Goddess, but also to objects such as jewels and ornaments via fire and water. They enlightened the walls of caves via lamps made of soil, wrote their letters on tablets, preserved the ashes of the dead in pots.

Ceramic illuminates its own period and the social and cultural life of the civilization which it belongs to.

Both Seljuqs and Ottomans expanded the horizons concerning this historical heritage of humankind. Ceramic pots and pans transformed into vety famous porcelains of Ottomans.

Even today, these porcelains which live in many buildings fascinate many people all around the world.

Especially İznik has become the top point of porcelain tradition in Ottoman Empire. And Ottomans contributed to the heritage of humankind with porcelains.

This tradition which began 8000 years ago in these lands, merges western and eastern cultures.

Tradition of ceramics that began many years ago… an aesthetical beauty of Ottoman Empire: porcelain… Tradition and Art: these are the nature of Turkish Ceramics.

Turkish ceramic carries the Ottoman heritage which merged the ceramic tradition of humankind with art, to future. In fact, it offers ceramics again to all people around the world. It exhibits ceramics from its home land to the world.

These lands which became integrated with beauty, aesthetics and art now give life to qualified products of Turkish ceramics.

Tradition of ceramics which began with pots and pans many years ago, now continues with Turkish ceramics. These lands which were used to produce ceramics by the ancient civilizations, now adorn and facilitate life via ceramics.
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