Ishani as it is called in Damascus is porcelain made from a fine sand that comes from Ishan, Iran. This form of pottery has evolved and merged with Iznik pottery around the seventeenth century during Suleiman the Magnificent era during the Ottoman Empire rule of the region. It decorated the exterior entrances to mosques  in the form of tiles and tfine murals and in the form of vessels. Today this art form has finally been revived and has resurfaced in the old town,  Damascus is said to have five separate studios that make this beautiful art. It is wise to shop the old town first before making a selection as quality of the glaze and the artists drawing them vary a lot from one studio to the next. I have ordered thicker walls of porcelain form mine so that the plates do not brake so easily. Once you get this type of art in your home you never put it away. It is inspiring just to look at.