This tile was originally part of a tomb-marker that covered the grave of an important person. The design on such tiles commonly included an arch, as here. The motif recalled the mihrab niche in a mosque that indicated the position of the Ka’bah shrine in Mecca. It indicated that the deceased had been buried in accordance with Islamic law in alignment with the Ka’bah.
The inscription in lustre along the profile of the arch is the first surah (chapter) of the Qur’an, called ‘al-Fatihah’ (‘The Opening’). The text in blue below is from the second surah (verse 285). It begins, ‘The Messenger believes what has been sent down to him from his Lord, as do the faithful. They all believe in God, His angels, His scriptures, and His messengers.’
Physical description
Tile with lobed arch, containing inscriptions in Arabic, the upper corners filled with moulded plant scrolls. This tile may have formed the upper part of a mihrab, and the niche-shape of its design copies the usual form of mihrabs. Since it is flat, it may have been in a secondary position in the shrine which it originally occupied. The inscription in blue under the arch is a quotation from the Qur'an, which stresses the need for Muslims to believe in the divine revelation.
Place of Origin
Kashan, Iran (probably, made)
Date
ca. 1266 (made)
Artist/maker
Unknown (production)
Materials and Techniques
Moulded fritware, painted with cobalt blue under a transparent glaze, with lustre over the glaze
Marks and inscriptions
Qur'an 2:285 The Messenger believeth in what hath been revealed to him from his Lord, as do the men of faith. Each one (of them) believeth in Allah, His angels, His books, and His Messengers. "We make no distinction (they say) between one and another of His Messengers." And they say...
al-Fatihah (opening chapter of the Qur'an)
Dimensions
Height: 52 cm, Width: 57 cm, Weight: 25.5 kg
Descriptive line
Tile with a pointed arch from a tomb-marker, Iran (probably Kashan), dated 665 AH/1226 AD.
Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)
Watson, Oliver. Persian Lustre Ware. London: Faber and Faber, 1985, plate 111 and pp. 134, 191.
Labels and date
PART OF A TILE-WORK PRAYER-NICHE
Earthenware painted in lustre and blue.
PERSIAN (KASHAN); dated 665 A.H./1226 A.D. [Old label]
Tile from a Tomb-marker
Iran, probably Kashan
About 1300
The inscription in lustre along the profile of the arch is the first surah, or chapter, of the Qur'an, called al-Fatihah (The Opening). The text in blue below is from the second surah (verse 285). It begins, 'The Messenger believes what has been sent down to him from his Lord, as do the faithful. They all believe in God, His angels, His scriptures, and His messengers.'
Moulded fritware with colour in and lustre over the glaze
Museum no. 469-1888 [Jameel Gallery]
Materials
Fritware
Techniques
Glazing; Lustre-painted
Categories
Islam; Ceramics; Tiles; Lustre ware
Collection code
MES
