Tile with Niche Design

Unknown

early 14th century · Stonepaste; luster-painted · Islamic Art

This large rectangular panel consists of two ceramic tiles from Kashan in Iran in the shape of a niche framed on three sides by an inscribed band. Tiles like this example commonly adorned mosques, tombs, or other Iranian buildings, especially during the Ilkhanid period when glazed tiles were used extensively for architectural decoration. The tile is painted in luster and heavily inscribed with Qur’anic verses from Surat al-Naba (78:1-14, 14-28), Surat al-Imran (3:18-19), and Surat al-Qadr (97: 1-5) referencing the Day of Judgement, the Oneness of Allah and the Twenty-seventh night of Ramadan.

Artist

Unknown

Date

early 14th century

Medium

Stonepaste; luster-painted

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917