Chinese influences in Anatolian Turkish art
For centuries, Chinese culture had a profound influence on the Turkish art creating a kind of cultural synthesis. Relations between China and Turkey were particularly strong after the defeat of the Monguls in the mid-8th century AD, culminating in a peak in the 13th century AD. This era coincided with the Ming dynasty in China and as a consequence, Chinese-influenced motifs and colours the from artworks appeared more and more on Anatolian Turkish art, both explicitly and subtly, with a range of styles, materials and objects. These included ceramics, chinaware, tiles, stucco, carpets, brocade cloth and decorative architectural features. Motifs that appeared regularly during this time included dragons (for their protection against enemies and as a fertility symbol), eagles, phoenixes, peacocks, lotus flowers, and clouds.
