Suna and İnan Kıraç Foundation Kütahya Tiles and Ceramics Collection brings together remarkable examples of the art of Kütahya tiles and ceramics from the 18th century to the 20th century.

As the second most important center of ceramic production after İznik during the Ottoman era, Kütahya witnessed intensive ceramic production in the Phrygian, Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine periods, and has upheld this art form to date with traditional methods. Having reached its zenith in the 17th and 18th centuries in terms of creativity, the ensuing years witnessed a decline in variety and production rate of Kütahya tiles and ceramics. It was once again revived in the late 19th century and, standing somewhere between İznik and Çanakkale ceramics as “urban art,” became an integral part of the Ottoman art mosaic with its broad product range and continuity.

The beginnings of the Suna and İnan Kıraç Foundation's Kütahya Tiles and Ceramics Collection dates back to the 1980s, and over the years it has grown to become one of the most outstanding collections of its kind. Today the extensive collection consists of nearly 1000 remarkable pieces representing various periods and styles.

The collection offers an unparalleled variety of embellishments and forms, while holding an important place in terms of quantity. The variety of objects used  often in daily life can be traced through the collection. The objects including bowls, plates, sugar pots, jars, cups, tumblers, mugs, creamers, pitchers, waterpipes, vases, percussion instruments, cubes, planters, incense burners, bobbins, pipes, cigarette holders, egg holders, match boxes, salt and pepper shakers, spice pots, confectionery bowls, fruit bowls, appetizer bowls, trays, teapots, lemon squeezers, spittoons, lamps, candle holders, candelabras, piggy banks, ornaments, spoon holders, table clocks, cigarette boxes, ashtrays, door handles amongst others, have been produced in a myriad of forms. In addition to these objects there are ornamental figurines, tiles for walls and ceilings, and tiles for covering coffee tables. These ceramics and tiles, featuring specialties of different workshops and craftsmen, tell the story of three hundred years.

For detailed information about our collections, please take a look at our digitalized publications!