"Les “Maîtres de Tabriz”, céramistes dans l’Empire ottoman : Une mise au point sur leur identification
Résumé
Who are the “Masters of Tabriz”? Scholars have attempted to reply to this question by trying to discover the historical and geographical origins of these ceramists who decorated ottoman buildings. However, the absence of biographies makes their identification uncertain and leads to many different theories about their identity. In reality, these masters are only known for their names found on monumental inscriptions and from ottoman archives. To fill in the lack of evidence, researchers have resorted to investigating ancient texts. However, some of these written sources are subject to extrapolations and uncertain speculations. These are nevertheless considered as convincing elements, which obviously falsifies the identification of these ceramists. This study proposes to reconsider the elements of identification notably in rereading the primary sources written in Ottoman, Arabic and Persian. The objective is to show evidence of concrete notions concerning the “Masters of Tabriz” and dismiss unfounded hypotheses. It will thus be possible to have a clearer vision of these craftsmen, as their enigmatic history tends to create myths.