Object Image

Star-Shaped Tile

This eight-pointed star tile was once part of a panel of star- and cross-shaped tiles adorning the walls of an Ilkhanid building. The central plant, surrounded by abstract vegetal forms that extend fully into each point of the star, was produced in a time-consuming and elaborate process in which copper luster was applied to the tile after its initial firing of blue, turquoise, and white glazes. The text running along the border consists of verses of Persian poetry.

Credit: H.O. Havemeyer Collection, Gift of Horace Havemeyer, 1941...

13th-14th century
Stonepaste; inglaze painted in blue and turquoise and luster-painted on opaque white glaze
20.3 x 20.3cm
41.165.12
Image and text © Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2019

Where you'll find this

The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Permanent collection