Tile

This molded, star-shaped stonepaste tile has raised areas in the form of a large central flower and surrounding foliage. A fine white slip covers the front, decorated surface. Raised areas of the design are outlined and detailed with a brown pigment, and low-lying background areas are painted with a cobalt blue pigment, all under a transparent glaze. The central section of the back surface of the tile is covered with partially scraped off plaster and there are the remains of mortar on the sides.

Historical period(s)
Il-Khanid dynasty, early 14th century
Medium
Stoneware, composite body painted under clear glaze
Dimensions
H x W x D: 19.7 x 19.7 x 1.9 cm (7 3/4 x 7 3/4 x 3/4 in)
Geography
Iran
Credit Line
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Collection
Freer Gallery of Art
Accession Number
F1999.12
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Architectural Element, Ceramic
Type

Tile

Keywords
flower, Il-Khanid dynasty (1256 - 1353), Iran, lotus, stoneware, WWII-era provenance
Provenance

Unidentified English collector [1]

To 1999
Spink & Son, Ltd., London, acquired from an unidentified English collector, to 1999 [2]

From 1999
Freer Gallery of Art, purchased from Spink & Son, Ltd. in 1999

Notes:

[1] According to Curatorial Note 3, Massumeh Farhad, October 3, 1999, in the object record.

[2] See note 1.

Previous Owner(s) and Custodian(s)

Spink & Son Ltd.

Description

This molded, star-shaped stonepaste tile has raised areas in the form of a large central flower and surrounding foliage. A fine white slip covers the front, decorated surface. Raised areas of the design are outlined and detailed with a brown pigment, and low-lying background areas are painted with a cobalt blue pigment, all under a transparent glaze. The central section of the back surface of the tile is covered with partially scraped off plaster and there are the remains of mortar on the sides.

Published References
  • Venetia Porter. Islamic Tiles., 1st U.S. ed. New York. .
  • The Eye of the Courtier: Indian and Islamic Works of Art. Exh. cat. London. cat. 3.
  • Yuka Kadoi. Islamic Chinoiserie: The Art of Mongol Iran. Edinburgh Studies in Islamic Art Edinburgh. p. 93, fig. 3.13.
Collection Area(s)
Arts of the Islamic World
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
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