Terms and conditions of use
Tile
(13th century-14th century)
- Medium
- earthenware
- Measurements
- 20.5 × 20.5 × 2.0 cm
- Place/s of Execution
- Iran
- Accession Number
- 601-D2
- Department
- Asian Art
- Credit Line
- National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Felton Bequest, 1906
This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of The Gordon Darling Foundation - Gallery location
- 17th Century & Flemish Paintings Gallery
Level 2, NGV International - About this work
-
Throughout Persia, star- and hexagon-shaped tiles were manufactured in large quantities to decorate interior and exterior surfaces of both religious and secular buildings. This example, made during the Il Khanid period, is decorated with metallic lustre glaze. Lustre ware originated in ninth-century Iraq, and spread to Europe via Egypt, Iran and Spain. The fact that the tile’s floral decoration and calligraphy recall both Persian textiles and luxury manuscripts suggests that common visual sources were employed by artisans working in different media. The calligraphic border reflects the importance of script in Islamic art, whether used as ornament, as talisman or to communicate the word of God.
- Physical description
- Star shape, stag and doe on ground of scrolls, yellow lustre on white ground. Persian inscription in blue and lustre.