By Iznik Pottery
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
A vibrant vintage Turkish hand-painted ceramic wall plate, signed “Sirca / NEVŞEHİR” on the reverse and originating from Nevşehir, in Turkey's historic Cappadocia region. Dating to approximately the 1950s, this highly decorative ceramic plate combines traditional Ottoman-inspired imagery with the brilliant color and expressive craftsmanship associated with Turkish decorative pottery.
The central composition depicts a spirited Ottoman-style horseman riding a galloping brown horse through an exuberant garden and hunting landscape. Dressed in a white turban and brilliantly colored red, turquoise and yellow garments, the rider raises one arm dramatically as the horse moves through the scene. Leaping gazelles or deer, flowering plants, stylized trees and pools of water surround the mounted figure, creating an animated narrative composition filled with movement.
The exceptionally rich palette is dominated by a deep cobalt-blue ground, dramatically contrasted with turquoise, emerald and pale green, iron red, yellow, white and earthy brown. Fine dark outlines articulate the horseman, animals, vegetation and architectural landscape elements, giving the decoration a lively graphic quality.
The plate's irregular scalloped or piecrust-form rim further emphasizes its handcrafted character. Subtle variations in its outline, painted decoration and glazed surface are characteristic of individually produced artisan ceramics and contribute to the individuality of the piece.
The decoration reflects the enduring influence of historic Ottoman and Iznik ceramic traditions, interpreted here through a mid-20th-century Turkish folk-art vocabulary. Rather than being an original Iznik ceramic, this piece should more accurately be described as Iznik-inspired Turkish pottery with Ottoman motifs.
Importantly, the reverse retains its handwritten workshop identification, clearly reading “Sirca / NEVŞEHİR.” This mark supports an attribution to Nevşehir rather than Kütahya and provides an important identifying element for collectors. The reverse also retains a hanging wire, allowing the plate to be displayed immediately as wall decoration.
Measuring 7 inches in diameter × 1.5 inches high, the plate has an intimate yet visually powerful scale. It would display beautifully individually on a gallery wall, above a console or cabinet, or incorporated into a collected arrangement of Turkish, Islamic, Mediterranean or Middle Eastern ceramics.
Presented in good vintage condition with minor wear and surface irregularities consistent with age and handcrafted ceramic production.
A particularly charming example of vintage Nevşehir Turkish pottery, combining a signed workshop mark, Ottoman horseman imagery, an energetic hunting scene and the saturated colors associated with Turkey's celebrated decorative ceramic tradition.
Maker/Workshop: Sirca
Mark: Hand-marked “Sirca / NEVŞEHİR”
Dimensions: 7 in diameter × 1.5 in H
Style: Islamic / Ottoman Revival
Materials: Ceramic
Techniques: Hand-crafted, hand-painted, glazed
Place of Origin: Turkey — Nevşehir
Period: Mid-20th Century
Date of Manufacture: circa 1950s
Condition: Good; wear consistent with age and use; minor handmade and glaze irregularities.
Keywords: Sirca Nevsehir pottery, Turkish ceramic plate, Ottoman horseman plate, Iznik style pottery, Ottoman hunting scene, Turkish wall plate...
Category
Mid-20th Century Turkish Islamic Ceramics
