Artisans were originally influenced by the master craftsmen of Iznik, ancient Nicaea, famous in the 15th and 16th centuries for its elegant pottery ware. Armenian pottery from Kutahya reached its peak in the 18th century. This was no accident, for the 18th century proved a particularly happy time for the Armenians living in Turkey. They were granted tax privileges and the prohibition against building churches was lifted. As the Armenian Church grew stronger and its adherents wealthier, old churches were being renovated and new churches began to be built. Contributions began to pour in for the beautification of these houses of worship of the Lord. However, by the beginning of the 20th century, due to Turkish persecution, not a single Armenian was left in Kutahya. Pottery making continues there, but Armenian potters are no longer there.

Jerusalem is the only place in the world where genuine Armenian pottery is still being produced. It was in 1918 that the Pro-Jerusalem Society brought over three Armenian artisans, natives of Kutahya. They came specifically to repair tiles on the Dome of the Rock. This august structure built in 691 AD by Caliph Abd el-Malik, was decorated with glazed tiles and had fallen into disrepair. This, in fact, was the beginning of Armenian pottery making in Jerusalem. For some reason, which remains hazy to this day, the Armenian master artisans never actually carried out the work on the Dome of the Rock. When the project, for which they had been brought to Jerusalem, did not materialize, the Armenian potters decided, nevertheless, to remain in Jerusalem with their families. The Armenian potters of Jerusalem are actually continuing an age-old tradition begun by their ancestors. They began to create tiles and domestic ware that are much sought after. They painted, glazed and fired their pottery in wood-fed kilns, making vessels and tiles for what became a highly appreciative clientele. Their ceramics were making their appearance in public and private buildings, in living rooms, and gardens. The hand-painted techniques have changed little over the years. Earlier wood-fired kilns gave way to diesel kilns, and now electric kilns. The earlier kilns heated up to 600 degrees, but the electric oven can reach 1200-1300 degrees, allowing more varied techniques.

As devout Christians, the Armenians never forgot Jerusalem. Their factories produced ceramic tiles and other decorative articles to beautify the churches in Jerusalem Today, visitors entering the 12th century Cathedral of St. James in Jerusalem's Armenian Quarter are overwhelmed by the multitude of blue and white square tiles of geometric and floral designs decorating the walls. There are 8,000 tiles in the cathedral, out of a total of 16,000 found in the city's churches and buildings, most of them created by Armenian artisans in Kutahya and brought to Jerusalem in the 18th century. The first Armenian pilgrims actually began to flock to Jerusalem some time after they adopted Christianity around 300 AD, making them the first foreign Christians to establish their presence in Jerusalem.

Beautiful Armenian pottery from Kutahya is exhibited in many museums and churches around the world, from the British Museum to Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity. Their variety delights the eye, from the mosaic tile motifs to the hanging ornaments, bowls, incense holders, plates and water bottles. Some items exhibited in museums and in the private collections are only fragments, some are chipped, some broken, but all are special. They can, however, be found in Jerusalem. Because of their popularity, the designs of the Armenian tiles and vessels have been imitated. If you have visited Jerusalem, you may have purchased some of this beautiful ceramic Armenian pottery. And if you bought the genuine, hand-painted item, you should treasure this piece of artwork, which is unique to Jerusalem.

Thanks to Bob Takvorian, MA for the contribution of this article.

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