Eight Point Star Tile with a Phoenix
INV-9228Iran
Probably Kashan
Ilkhanid dynasty (1256–1353), late 13th century
veraminIslamic (culture or style)earthenwareceramics
Date
Ilkhanid dynasty (1256–1353), late 13th century
Medium
Lusterware, fritware molded and painted in luster, blue, and turquoise over an opaque white glaze
Dimensions
21.2 × 21.8 × 1.2 cm (8 5/16 × 8 9/16 × 1/2 in.)
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Location
Chicago, IL
Credit
Lucy Maud Buckingham Collection
Phoenixes were common motifs of Ilkhanid ceramics and regularly featured on eight-pointed star tiles. This tile features a phoenix with outstretched wings and a sweeping tail reserved against a luster ground. This tile's decoration is similar to tiles depicting phoenixes made for the Ilkhanid palace known as Takht-i Sulaiman, which was constructed in the 1270s. While the exact provenance of this tile is uncertain, the use of such designs at Takht-i Sulaiman provides an approximate date for this piece. Modern-day excavations of Takht-i Sulaiman have revealed thousands of tile fragments, which were once used as lavish ornamentation for palace walls that must have gleamed when light reflected their brilliant luster.