Porcelains


In regard to its size, rich variety and high quality, Topkapi Palace has the most valuable collection of Chinese and Japanese porcelain in the world. At present, it can be challenged only by the former Chinese Imperial collections now in Taiwan, and was also previously challanged - until the World War II - by the collections gathered together at Dresden by Augustus the Strong of Saxony, some items of which vanished during the war years.

The palace contains a total of 10.700 Chinese pieces, ranging from the late Sung (13th century) and the Yuan dynasties (1280-1368), through the Ming (1368-1644) to the Ch'ing period (1644-1912). A number of these are now on display in the Palace Kitchens.

In the collection, there are up to 730 Japanese porcelains dating from 17-19th centuries. These are mainly Imari ware produced in and around Arita in southern Japan.
Celadon dish
Yuan dynasty. Early to mid-14th century.
Celadon bottle
Late 14th or early 15th century.
Candle holder in the form of a phoenix
Ming dynasty. Second half of 16th century. The silver-gilt mounting and jewels are Ottoman additions.
Ewer
Ming Dynasty. Early 15th century. The plain white ewer has a pearl shaped body with a flared mouth. Its Ottoman rim mount is gold with rubies.
Saucer shaped dish
Ming dynasty. Early 16th century.
Ewer
Ming dynasty. Second half of 16th century.
Basin
Quing Dynasty. c. 1735-50.
Jar
Quing dynasty. c. 1735-50.
Chinese celadon matara
Later refurbished byOttoman craftsman in 16th century by adding gilded silver components.
Celadon footed bowl
Yuan dynasty, 14th century.
Celadon dish
Ming dynasty, 15th century.
Blue and white chinese vase
Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties. 14-17th centuries.
Blue and white chinese vase
Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties. 14-17th centuries.
Blue and white chinese vase
Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties. 14-17th centuries.
Blue and white chinese vase
Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties. 14-17th centuries.
Blue and white Chinese plate
Ch'i-lin motif. 14th century.
Blue and white Chinese dish
Yuan dynasty, 14th century.
Chinese dish
Qing dynasty, 17th century.
Chinese dish
Ming dynasty, 15th century.
Chinese dish
Qing dynasty, 17th century.
Chinese dish
Qing dynasty, 17th century.
Chinese bowl
Bowl with rock-crystal dome. 16th century.
Chinese cup
Ming dynasty, 16th century.
Incense burner
Porcelain with a silver cover. Ming dynasty, 17th century.
Chinese bowl
Qing dynasty, 19th century.
Chinese bowl
Ming dynasty, 16th century.
Ewer
Ming dynasty, 16th century.
Chinese bowl
17th century.
Annam vase
Dated 1450.
Chinese vase
"mei p'ing vase, 14th century.
Japanese porcelain
18th century.

Other porcelain pictures can be found in the webpage by Dosseman .