Art Institute of Chicago

Tile Window Grille

Iran

Date

Timurid dynasty (1370-1507), 15th century

Medium

Glazed fritware tiles cut and reassembled as a mosaic

Culture

Iran

Department

Arts of Asia

Institution

Art Institute of Chicago

The production of carved and glazed architectural ceramics continued to develop in western Central Asia under the Timurids. A highly geometric decorative scheme was incorporated into the tile design of both religious and secular monuments in these regions, including this window grille. This monumental example emphasizes its geometric composition while also demonstrating an organic relationship with the structure; the voids in the pattern function as the window openings. A window grille such as this one might have decorated the drum of a domed chamber or the hallway of a prominent building.

The authoritative record is held by Art Institute of Chicago. LinkedCulture surfaces this object and its connections; it does not alter institutional metadata.