Cross-Shaped Tile

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 455

Four fantastic birds occupy the arms of this cross-shaped tile which was once part of a panel of star- and cross-shaped tiles adorning the walls of an Ilkhanid building. Probably produced in the ceramic center of Kashan in Central Iran, it displays many characteristics typical of this site, including the use of opulent luster glaze, a balanced composition with one animal in each arm, and the spirals and dots that fill the background.

Cross-Shaped Tile, Stonepaste; inglaze painted in blue and turquoise and luster-painted on opaque white glaze

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Cross-Shaped Tile, Stonepaste; inglaze painted in blue and turquoise and luster-painted on opaque white glaze
Cross-Shaped Tile, Stonepaste; inglaze painted in blue and turquoise and luster-painted on opaque white glaze
Cross-Shaped Tile, Stonepaste; inglaze painted in blue and turquoise and luster-painted on opaque white glaze
Cross-Shaped Tile, Stonepaste; inglaze painted in blue and turquoise and luster-painted on opaque white glaze
Cross-Shaped Tile, Stonepaste; inglaze painted in blue and turquoise and luster-painted on opaque white glaze

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