Tile thumbnail 1

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. The decoration is very similar to 734A-1888. It is divided into compartments by an octagon which closes off the points of the star, which are filled with small palmettes. The octagon has a double border outlined in cobalt blue and filled with a pearl motif. Inside the octagon is a sideways cross motif (similar to one which appears on 734-1888) which subdivides the octagon into four compartments which are filled with motifs consisting of two split palmettes branching on either side of a bud. There is a dab of dark turquoise pigment at the centre of the tile. 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! Doth not a space of time pass over man during which he is a thing unremembered? Verily, We have created man from the union of the sexes that we might prove him, and hearing, seeing, We have made him. In a right way have We guided him, be he thankful or ungrateful.")

Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Fritware, glazed and painted in turquoise, cobalt blue and lustre
Brief description
Tile, fritware, glazed and painted in turquoise, 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. The decoration is very similar to 734A-1888. It is divided into compartments by an octagon which closes off the points of the star, which are filled with small palmettes. The octagon has a double border outlined in cobalt blue and filled with a pearl motif. Inside the octagon is a sideways cross motif (similar to one which appears on 734-1888) which subdivides the octagon into four compartments which are filled with motifs consisting of two split palmettes branching on either side of a bud. There is a dab of dark turquoise pigment at the centre of the tile. 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! Doth not a space of time pass over man during which he is a thing unremembered? Verily, We have created man from the union of the sexes that we might prove him, and hearing, seeing, We have made him. In a right way have We guided him, be he thankful or ungrateful.")
Dimensions
  • Height: 20.9cm
  • Width: 19.7cm
  • Depth: 1.3cm
Marks and inscriptions
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم هل اتى على الانسان حين من الدهر لم يكن شيئا مذكورا انا خلقنا الانسان من نطفة امشاج نبتليه فجعلناه سميعا بصيرا انا هديناه السبيل اما شاكرا واما كفورا (Qur’anic inscription part of surah 76, verses 1 to 3)
Production
Inventory record
Subjects depicted
Literary referenceKoran
Associated objects
Collection
Accession number
1828-1876

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Record createdMarch 20, 2009
Record URL
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