Art Institute of Chicago

Cross-Shaped Tile with Qur'anic Inscriptions

Iran

Date

Ilkhanid dynasty (1256–1353), Mid-13th century

Medium

Lusterware, fritware painted in lustre over an opaque white glaze

Culture

Varamin

Department

Arts of Asia

Institution

Art Institute of Chicago

These star and cross-shaped luster tiles were originally part of the dado (lower part of the wall) decoration of the mausoleum of a holy man in Varamin, Iran. Tiles in these two shapes were fitted together to form a continuous panel of decoration. Appropriate for a religious context, each tile features vegetal patterns framed by Qur'anic inscription and is devoid of figural representation.These tiles belong to a larger group of about 150 luster-painted tiles attributed to the mausoleum in Varamin. All 150 tiles are either star or cross-shaped, and they share many typological affinities, such as the use of rich brown luster, the inclusion of Qur’anic scripts, and the predominant appearance of vegetal motifs and arabesques. By the end of the 19th century, all tiles had been removed from the mausoleum by European collectors.

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