Square Tile

Unknown

late 12th–early 13th century · Earthenware; molded and glazed · Islamic Art

This tile belongs to a unique group of monochrome glazed, molded relief tiles excavated from a palace at Ghazni, in modern Afghanistan. The decoration on this group consists of animals in heraldic poses (as seen here), as well as vegetal scrolls and calligraphy, often surrounded by beaded borders. The excavation stratigraphy dates them to the early thirteenth century, the period of the city’s Ghurid rule. They were probably manufactured in Ghazni especially for the palace.

Artist

Unknown

Date

late 12th–early 13th century

Medium

Earthenware; molded and glazed

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Gift of Marjorie Schwarz, in memory of Herbert F. and Dorothy C. Schwarz, 1975