Cross-Shaped Tile

Unknown

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

Four seated animals occupy the arms of this cross-shaped tile which was once part of a panel of star- and cross-shaped tiles on the walls of an Ilkhanid building. Probably produced in the ceramic center of Kashan in Central Iran, it displays many characteristics typical of this important site, including the use of opulent luster glaze, a balanced composition with one animal in each arm, and the spirals and dots that fill the background.

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

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