Tile thumbnail 1

Tile

ca. 1359 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This tile comes from an inscription frieze that framed the entrance to a magnificent domed mausoleum at Bukhara in Uzbekistan. It was erected over the grave of Buyanquli Khan.

Buyanquli Khan was a Muslim descendant of the great Mongol conqueror Genghis Khan and, for a time, the puppet ruler of parts of Central Asia. He was assassinated by a local warlord in 1358 when he tried to assert his own authority. His tomb was built in a cemetery on the outskirts of Bukhara.

The entire building was covered in tiles, inside and out. These tiles were deeply carved with inscriptions and other ornament and covered with coloured glazes before the final firing. This impressive technique was used in Central Asia only for a brief period, from around 1350 to the early 15th century.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 3 parts.

  • Tile
  • Tile
  • Tile
Materials and techniques
Earthenware, carved and glazed
Brief description
Section of an inscription frieze from the tomb of Buyanquli Khan, Uzbekistan (Bukhara), about 1358
Physical description
Part of a tile frieze with calligraphy. Carved earthenware with a turquoise glaze.
Dimensions
  • Height: 32cm
  • Width: 104cm
  • Depth: 7.5cm
  • Weight: 14kg
measurements include frame
Marks and inscriptions
end of a pious formula
Translation
... to Almighty Go[d. His noble Prophet conveyed it,] and we are among the witnesses thereto.
Gallery label
(Jameel Gallery)
Jameel Gallery

1-13 Tiles from the Tomb of Buyanquli Khan
Uzbekistan, Bukhara
About 1358

6 Section from Inscription Frieze
From arch above doorway
Carved earthenware under coloured glaze
Museum no. 2034 to B-1899


Object history
From the tomb of Buyanquli Khan in Bukhara. Bought from Mr M Tahtadjian of Batoum (Georgia) in 1899.
Production
From the tomb of Buyanquli Khan in Bukhara
Summary
This tile comes from an inscription frieze that framed the entrance to a magnificent domed mausoleum at Bukhara in Uzbekistan. It was erected over the grave of Buyanquli Khan.

Buyanquli Khan was a Muslim descendant of the great Mongol conqueror Genghis Khan and, for a time, the puppet ruler of parts of Central Asia. He was assassinated by a local warlord in 1358 when he tried to assert his own authority. His tomb was built in a cemetery on the outskirts of Bukhara.

The entire building was covered in tiles, inside and out. These tiles were deeply carved with inscriptions and other ornament and covered with coloured glazes before the final firing. This impressive technique was used in Central Asia only for a brief period, from around 1350 to the early 15th century.
Bibliographic reference
Claus-Peter Haase, "Buyan Quli Chan - Baudekor," Damaszener Mitteilungen 11 (1999): 205-25.
Collection
Accession number
2034 to B-1899

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Record createdFebruary 23, 2005
Record URL
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