Panel of Four Calligraphic Tiles

Unknown

14th–early 15th century · Stonepaste; glazed and carved · Islamic Art

Epigraphic friezes executed in ceramic tile were integral to the decorative program of interiors in both Morocco and Spain. They were situated near eye-level, between a dado of tile mosaic and upper-wall decoration of carved stucco. These tiles were first entirely coated in purplish-black glaze, which was carved away leaving behind the calligraphy on a background of foliate scrolls.

Artist

Unknown

Date

14th–early 15th century

Medium

Stonepaste; glazed and carved

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Purchase, Leon B. Polsky and Cynthia Hazen Polsky Gift, in honor of Patti Cadby Birch, 1999