Star-Shaped Tile

Unknown

13th century · Stonepaste; inglaze painted in blue and turquoise and luster-painted on opaque white glaze · Islamic Art

This eight-pointed star tile was once part of a panel of star- and cross-shaped tiles adorning the wall of an Ilkhanid building. Likely produced in the ceramic center of Kashan, it is one of many tiles depicting an animal – in this case, a spotted mule – surrounded by a border of text. Unlike most similar Kashani examples however, the naskh inscription around the border is Qur’anic (Suras 112 and 114).

Artist

Unknown

Date

13th century

Medium

Stonepaste; inglaze painted in blue and turquoise and luster-painted on opaque white glaze

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Rogers Fund, 1908