Damascus ware

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June 17, 2026

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Damascus ware refers to a type of Turkish pottery characterized by a clear glaze over a white engobe, decorated with rich colors under the glaze. This differs from Damascus steel, a pre-industrial metal known for its exceptional hardness and distinctive watered appearance, created through a secret carburization process. Additionally, Damascus rugs are small floor coverings, often attributed to 16th or 17th-century Syria, featuring intricate geometric patterns. While Syrian pottery has a rich history, including lustre painting and early copies of Chinese blue-and-white, the term "Damascus ware" specifically denotes the Turkish pottery described.1234

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Islamic arts
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of pottery: İznik, Rhodian, and Damascus ware. Both in technique and in design, Ottoman ceramics are the only major examples of pottery produced in the late Islamic period.
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of pottery: İznik, Rhodian, and Damascus ware. Both in technique and in design, Ottoman ceramics are the only major examples of pottery produced in the late Islamic period.
Read More