Fragment of a Frieze
This terracotta panel is from Tepe Madrasa in Nishapur in Iran and once formed a segment of the portal in the prayer hall. Carved terracotta was used as a decorative material for architectural sites in Iran at least since the tenth century; it was used to construct columns, bosses, string courses, and bricks. Elements like this would have composed larger panels, often bearing geometrical patterns. The panel features a star-and-polygon pattern, which is cut off due to the limitations of space of this element. Each octagon encloses an eight-petaled rosette. The stars were once painted blue and the background of the rosettes were red.
This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.
This artwork is meant to be viewed from right to left. Scroll left to view more.
