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Star-Shaped Tile

14th century
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 455
This eight-pointed star tile was once part of a panel of star- and cross-shaped tiles adorning the walls of an Ilkhanid building. In its center, a spotted gazelle stands in a field of vegetation, possibly in reference to the motif of the jairan (deer gazing at the moon) that originated in Chinese Buddhist art. Two verses of Persian poetry painted in luster run along the border.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Star-Shaped Tile
  • Date: 14th century
  • Geography: Made in Iran
  • Medium: Stonepaste: inglaze painted in blue and turquoise and luster-painted on an opaque white glaze
  • Dimensions: H. 8 in. (20.3 cm)
    W. 8 in. (20.3 cm)
  • Classification: Ceramics-Tiles
  • Credit Line: Gift of Rafael Guastavino, 1928
  • Object Number: 28.89.4
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

More Artwork

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Luster Bowl with Winged Horse, Stonepaste; luster-painted on opaque monochrome glaze
Luster Bowl with Winged Horse
late 12th century
Tile from a Frieze, Stonepaste; inglaze painted in blue and turquoise and luster-painted on opaque white glaze
Tile from a Frieze
13th century
Mihrab (Prayer Niche), Mosaic of polychrome-glazed cut tiles on stonepaste body; set into mortar
Mihrab (Prayer Niche)
dated 755 AH/1354–55 CE
Standing Figure with Jeweled Headdress, Gypsum plaster; modeled, carved, polychrome-painted, gilded
Standing Figure with Jeweled Headdress
12th–early 13th century
Tile from a Frieze, Stonepaste; inglaze painted in blue and turquoise, luster-painted on opaque white glaze, modeled
Tile from a Frieze
early 14th century

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