Tile

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

This tile is from a calligraphic frieze around the entrance of the tomb. It features the name of Buyanquli Khan and was part of the decoration of a magnificent domed mausoleum at Bukhara in Uzbekistan that was erected over his grave.

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
Materials and techniques
Earthenware, carved and glazed
Brief description
Tile fragment with the name of Buyanquli Khan, Uzbekistan (Bukhara), about 1358
Physical description
Tile decorated with arabesques and the name of Buyanquli Khan. Carved earthenware with a turquoise glaze.
Dimensions
  • Height: 51cm
  • Width: 53.3cm
  • Depth: 7.2cm
  • Weight: 9kg
measurements include frame
Marks and inscriptions
'Buyanquli Khan'
Gallery label
(Jameel Gallery)
Jameel Gallery

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

13 Fragment with Buyanquli Khan’s Name
Carved earthenware under coloured glaze
Museum no. 2043-1899
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
Subject depicted
Summary
This tile is from a calligraphic frieze around the entrance of the tomb. It features the name of Buyanquli Khan and was part of the decoration of a magnificent domed mausoleum at Bukhara in Uzbekistan that was erected over his grave.

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
2043-1899

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Record createdFebruary 23, 2005
Record URL
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