Julius Lessing, Middle Eastern Ceramic Plate, 1890, Paper

Turkish Ceramic Plate Design – Julius Lessing, Berlin 1890 A richly colored chromolithograph from Julius Lessing’s Persisch-Türkische Fayencen. Teller (-Turkish Faience Plates), published in Berlin by Ernst Wasmuth in 1890. This plate belongs to the Vorbilder-Hefte aus dem Königlichen Kunstgewerbe-Museum, Heft 11, a renowned series showcasing masterworks of decorative and applied arts preserved in the Berlin Museum of Decorative Arts. The image depicts a beautifully ornamented -Turkish faience plate from the 16th century, remarkable for its intricate floral and arabesque motifs in deep cobalt blue, emerald green, and coral red. The symmetrical composition is enclosed within scrolling borders of stylized foliage and spiral rosettes, hallmarks of Ottoman Iznik ceramics from this period. The design represents the synthesis of refinement and Turkish artistry that defined Islamic ceramic production during the high Ottoman era. Julius Lessing (1843–1908), the founding director of the Königliches Kunstgewerbemuseum Berlin, played a central role in documenting and preserving historical design traditions for modern artists and craftsmen. Through works like this, he sought to inspire contemporary decorative arts with the sophisticated patterns and color harmonies of earlier civilizations. The Vorbilder-Hefte series remains a cornerstone reference in the history of European art education and ornamental design. Condition report: Excellent impression with vivid colors and clean margins. Minor toning along edges, with slight age-related handling marks. Paper retains fine texture and brightness typical of late 19th-century chromolithographs. Framing tips: This plate looks striking in a double mat—ivory outer and deep blue or moss-green inner lining—to emphasize the color harmony. A simple gold or dark wood frame will complement the chromolithograph’s ornate subject and highlight its museum-quality character. Technique: Chromolithograph Maker: Julius Lessing, Berlin, 1890