Abstract:

The Karamanids were the most important principality among the Anatolian principalities (beyliks). They attempted to promote integrity and solidarity during the period between the 12th and 15th centuries, when social welfare was not ensured in these territories. The importance placed by the principality on the tile art during this period is clearly apparent from the examples of tiles which they used to decorate buildings of Karamanid architectural design. It was also observed that the tiles decorated with animal figures are limited. More so than animal figures, the architectural tiles of the Karamanids were decorated with floral, geometric and writing patterns. Therefore, these tiles represent the varied examples and the differences among the tiles of the principality. The tiles with animal figures were found to have pictures of birds, including swans, and gazelle (deer). The animal figures were applied on the hexagonal and triangular plate-type tiles, using the techniques of luster, blue-white and under-glaze. The artwork of the tiles which were used for the interior and exterior decoration of the buildings of Karamanid architectural design are observed to be highly influenced by the Palace tiles of the Seljuk period. It was discovered that the Ottoman-period tiles were less influential. The tiles with figures in which animals are portrayed in their natural setting are different from the other tiles found in the buildings of Karamanid architectural design. Their forms are different, as well as the techniques used for their application. This has created serious questions regarding whether the tiles with figures found in the Karamanid buildings actually originated there. The animal figures, each of which has a different symbolic value, are also very important among the tiles of the Karamanids. Among the tiles of the Karamanids, the tiles with animal figures enriched and offered variety by means of their forms and application techniques. It is important to conduct research on this topic, in order to examine their importance in Turkish tile art, and determine their value. The main factor in the selection of this topic is the fact that no detailed research has been conducted on the Karamanid principality's tiles with animal figures.

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