Tile thumbnail 1
Tile thumbnail 2
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Ceramics, Room 137, The Curtain Foundation Gallery

Tile

early 14th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Tile in the shape of an eight-pointed star, fritware. The central field is decorated in reserve against a ground of golden-brown lustre. It is divided into a checkerboard-like field whose squares are filled with the same design of a small bud at the axis and a split palmette above it on either side. Around the edge is a border inscription in cursive script, in lustre on a white ground, and outlined at top and bottom with cobalt blue lines. (Translation of the inscription: "In the name of God! the Compassionate! the Merciful! Praise be to God! who hath sent down the Book to His servant, and hath not made it tortuous but direct, that it may warn of a grievous woe from Him, and announce to the faithful who do the things that are right, that a goodly reward, wherein they shall (abide for ever), awaiteth them.")


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Fritware, glazed and painted in cobalt blue and lustre
Brief description
Tile, fritware, glazed and painted in cobalt blue and lustre, Iran (Kashan), early 14th century
Physical description
Tile in the shape of an eight-pointed star, fritware. The central field is decorated in reserve against a ground of golden-brown lustre. It is divided into a checkerboard-like field whose squares are filled with the same design of a small bud at the axis and a split palmette above it on either side. Around the edge is a border inscription in cursive script, in lustre on a white ground, and outlined at top and bottom with cobalt blue lines. (Translation of the inscription: "In the name of God! the Compassionate! the Merciful! Praise be to God! who hath sent down the Book to His servant, and hath not made it tortuous but direct, that it may warn of a grievous woe from Him, and announce to the faithful who do the things that are right, that a goodly reward, wherein they shall (abide for ever), awaiteth them.")
Dimensions
  • Height: 20.6cm
  • Width: 20.5cm
  • Depth: 1.2cm
Marks and inscriptions
الحمد لله الذي انزل على عبده الكتاب ولم يجعل له عوجا قيما لينذر باسا شديدا من لدنه ويبشر المؤمنين الذين يعملون الصالحات ان لهم اجرا حسنا (Qur’anic inscription - part of surah 18, verses 1 to 3)
Production
Inventory record
Subjects depicted
Literary referenceKoran
Collection
Accession number
1828D-1876

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Record createdMarch 20, 2009
Record URL
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