Geometric Decorative Arts

Vibrant geometric patterns and intricate tile designs reflecting Ottoman and historical European styles, with rich colors and detailed motifs.

Colorful Tile work in the Topkapi Palace, Istanbul Turkey

1746-19670215

Part of an altarpiece from enamelled brick form, found in the courtyard of the temple-palace of Guzana / Tell Halaf.

$Dogwood. Culture: American. Designer: Designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany (American, New York 1848-1933 New York). Dimensions: 100 x 56 in. (254 x 142.2 cm). Maker: Tiffany Studios (1902-32). Date: ca. 1902-1915.This window demonstrates Tiffany's true genius in glass. Its asymmetrical composition acknowledges his admiration for Japanese art, but nature was Tiffany's primary inspiration. The window convincingly conveys the appearance of a dogwood tree--the branches and blossoms seen behind a trellis--with a generalized spring landscape beyond. It incorporates a rich assemblage of specially textured and shaded glasses perfected by Tiffany's studios, from fractured, or "confetti," glass to the rippled glass that simulates the texture of the dogwood blossoms. Bicolored, mottled opalescent glass conveys modeling and shadow. To achieve further depth of color, glass plating occurs on the back, sometimes several layers thick. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.$