Many innovations originated in the Islamic Middle East. Decorating glazed ceramics with metallic lustre was one of them. This difficult technique was invented in Iraq in the 9th century. It spread over an area stretching from Spain to Iran, where these tiles were made.
The tiles are from the tomb of a descendant of the Prophet Muhammad at Varamin near Tehran. The designs, each subtly different, are surrounded by quotations from the Qur’an.
Physical description
Panel of fifteen star and cross tiles, from the shrine of Imamzadeh Yahya in Varamin (south of Tehran). Fritware ceramic with lustre decoration, Iran, probably Kashan, dated 1262, and attributable to Ali ibn Muhammad ibn Abi Tahir.
Place of Origin
Kashan, Iran (made)
Date
1262 (made)
Artist/maker
Ali ibn Muhammad ibn Abi Tahir (probably, decorator)
Materials and Techniques
Fritware with overglaze lustre decoration
Dimensions
Width: 121.1 cm overall, Weight: 45 kg
Object history note
In the three months Dhu'l-Hijja 660 to Safar 661 (October to December 1262) were made a large number of star and cross tiles that decorated the dado of the Imamzada Yahya in Veramin. Over 150 examples are recorded in some 24 collections. (Watson, Persian Lustre Ware, p. 191)
Descriptive line
Panel of lustre tiles from a tomb in Varamin (near Tehran). Iran (probably Kashan), 1262.
Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)
Oliver Watson, Persian Lustre Ware, London: Faber and Faber, 1985, colour plate K, pp. 122-3, 132, 134, 186, 191.
Tim Stanley, Palace and Mosque: Islamic Art from the Middle East, London: V&A Publications, 2004, plate 65, pp. 28, 51, 122.
Exhibition History
Palace and Mosque: Islamic Art from the Victoria and Albert Museum (The Millennium Galleries, Sheffield 14/01/2006-16/04/2006)
Palace and Mosque: Islamic Art from the Victoria and Albert Museum (Setagaya Art Museum, Tokyo 01/10/2005-04/12/2005)
Palace and Mosque: Islamic Art from the Victoria and Albert Museum (Kimbell Art Museum, Fort Worth, Texas 03/04/2005-04/09/2005)
Palace and Mosque: Islamic Art from the Victoria and Albert Museum (National Gallery of Art, Washington 18/07/2004-06/02/2005)
Labels and date
PANEL OF STAR AND CROSS TILES
Fritware painted in lustre
PERSIA (Kashan); dated 660-1 A. H./October to December 1262
These tiles once covered the inside walls of the Tomb of Yahya, a distant descendant of the Prophet Muhammed, in Veramin in central Persia. They were made in Kashan by the potter Ali ibn Muhammed ibn Abi Tahir. [Old label]
Lustre Tiles
Iran, probably Kashan
1262
Many innovations originated in the Islamic Middle East. One was the decoration of glazed ceramics with metallic lustre. This difficult technique, invented in Iraq in the 9th century, travelled the breadth of the Islamic Middle East. It eventually reached Spain in the west and Iran in the east, where these tiles were made.
The tiles are from the tomb of a distant descendant of the Prophet Muhammad in the town of Varamin near Tehran. The designs, each subtly different, are based on plants and surrounded by borders inscribed with quotations from the Qur'an.
Fritware painted in lustre over a transparent glaze
Museum nos. 1487, 1489, 1837&A, C, E, F, 1838&C, E-1876; 1077, 1099&A, 1100&A-1892 [2006]
Production Note
Attributed to Ali ibn Muhammad ibn Abi Tahir
Materials
Fritware
Categories
Islam; Ceramics; Tiles; Lustre ware
Collection code
MES
