Tile from an Inscriptional Frieze

early 14th century
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 455
Inscribed: '[Blessings] upon the Prophet' - possibly from Qur'an 33:56
This tile exhibits the use of a rare glaze technique referred to as 'lajvardina'. After a first firing to establish the dark blue or turquoise underglaze background, these tiles were subjected to a second firing to set the carefully cut and placed pieces of gold leaf, creating glittering floral and geometric patterns. In this example, the inscription once was covered entirely in gold.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Tile from an Inscriptional Frieze
  • Date: early 14th century
  • Geography: Attributed to Iran, Kashan
  • Medium: Stonepaste; modeled, overglaze painted, and gilded (lajvardina)
  • Dimensions: H. 12 3/4 in. (32.4 cm)
    W. 12 1/2 in. (31.8 cm)
    D. 1 5/8 in. (4.1 cm)
  • Classification: Ceramics-Tiles
  • Credit Line: Edward C. Moore Collection, Bequest of Edward C. Moore, 1891
  • Object Number: 91.1.1529
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

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