History of çini ornamentation extends to buildings has been made in period of first Turkish Islam State “Karahanlılar”. That takes us to about thousand years ago. After Karahanlılar, Great Seljuks and Anatolian Seljuks too gave place to çini ornamentations in their living and structures,they have decorated with çini caravansaries, mausoleums, mosques and other works which they built. A few examples of  these structures before Ottoman period listed below:

I. İzzeddin Keykavus Tomb

Seljuks Sultan I. İzzeddin Keykavus’s tomb in the right place at the entrance of Şifahiye Medresesi (hospital and medical school) which is his own work. Near to the Keykavus’s tomb, who died in 12220, there are twelve sarcophaguses belong to the dynasty. Front of the tomb is has rich  decorative tiles of Seljuk art. This tomb the most important part of the building with geometric cross, stars, kufi(type of calligraphy) texts, blue, white, navy blue and turquoise colors.

Great Mosque of Malatya

Dating from 13th century with old dome, courtyard and çini in the portico of yard Great Mosque, in 1224, was built by the Seljuk Sultan Aleaddin Keykubat. the mosque which architect is Yakup Bin Ebubekir has the most beautiful examples of decorative arts. Gate arch, the great dome and the drum motifs inlaid stone, white, black, dark blue, green and turquoise colored tile mosaic in the front row with the attention the Ulu mosque are 60 columns. Approximately  $ 1.2 million spent in the past months we have completed the restoration. more…