Iran
Kashan
Star-Shaped Tile with Qur'anic Inscriptions
INV-7123
Iran
KashanIlkhanid dynasty (1256–1353), Mid-13th century
Star-Shaped Tile with Qur'anic Inscriptions
Iran Kashan →Islamic (culture or style)earthenwareasian art
Date
Ilkhanid dynasty (1256–1353), Mid-13th century
Medium
Lusterware, fritware painted in lustre over an opaque white glaze
Dimensions
31.6 × 31.3 × 1.3 cm (12 7/16 × 12 5/16 × 1/2 in.)
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Location
Chicago, IL
Credit
Mary Jane Gunsaulus Collection
These star and cross-shaped luster tiles were originally part of the dado (lower part of the wall) decoration of the mausoleum of a holy man in Varamin, Iran. Tiles in these two shapes were fitted together to form a continuous panel of decoration. Appropriate for a religious context, each tile features vegetal patterns framed by Qur'anic inscription and is devoid of figural representation.These tiles belong to a larger group of about 150 luster-painted tiles attributed to the mausoleum in Varamin. All 150 tiles are either star or cross-shaped, and they share many typological affinities, such as the use of rich brown luster, the inclusion of Qur’anic scripts, and the predominant appearance of vegetal motifs and arabesques. By the end of the 19th century, all tiles had been removed from the mausoleum by European collectors.
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