Star-Shaped Tile

Unknown

13th–14th 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 walls of an Ilkhanid building. Probably produced in the ceramic center of Kashan in Central Iran, it displays many characteristics typical of tiles found at this site. Surrounded by two full quatrains of poetry and part of a third, the tile’s abstract decoration extends into each point of the star, occupying all available space. Luster was applied after the first firing of blue, turquoise, and white glazes.

Artist

Unknown

Date

13th–14th century

Medium

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

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

H.O. Havemeyer Collection, Gift of Horace Havemeyer, 1941