Armenian ceramic art Visual arts in Israel

rockefeller museum

in 1919 british mandate government extended invitation group of armenian artists, survivors of armenian genocide, renovate tiles of dome of rock. experiment reflected british interest in traditional art in spirit of arts , crafts movement. armenian ceramic art began in 15th century in turkish cities of iznik , kutahya, encounter ancient land of israel art , christian motifs gave rise unique artistic synthesis.

the central artist during these first years david ohannessian (1884-1953), specialized in decorative ceramics structures , monuments, many of them @ invitation of british government. among principal works ohannessian created in jerusalem were: tiles american colony hotel (1923), fountain base st. john s ophthalmic hospital, domed entry of rockefeller museum, etc. among motifs appearing in decorations cypress trees, tulips, , grapevines, of typical of traditional ottoman art. transplanted art jerusalem , continued develop it, added images inspired local traditions , armenian illuminated manuscripts—frequently using bird mosaic in objects , tile panels.

the artists megherdich karakashian , neshan balian, in 1922 left ohannessian s studio , founded joint workshop, developed independent style in figurative images foreign traditional turkish art appeared. example 2 of them used imagery ancient mosaics found in land of israel, such bird mosaic 6th-century armenian chapel or mosaic khirbat al mafjar. these images imbued christian theological interpretation. joint workshop remained active until 1964, when stepan karakashian , marie balian, heirs of founding artists, set 2 independent workshops both used designs had been developed in past , created new ones of own.