Art Institute of Chicago

Star-Shaped Tile with Phoenix

Iran

Date

Ilkhanid dynasty (1256–1353), late 13th century

Medium

Lusterware, fritware molded and painted in luster, blue, and turquoise over an opaque white glaze

Culture

Iran

Department

Arts of Asia

Institution

Art Institute of Chicago

Phoenixes were common motifs of Ilkhanid ceramics and regularly featured on eight-pointed star tiles. This tile features a phoenix with outstretched wings and a sweeping tail reserved against a luster ground. This tile's decoration is similar to tiles depicting phoenixes made for the Ilkhanid palace known as Takht-i Sulaiman, which was constructed in the 1270s. While the exact provenance of this tile is uncertain, the use of such designs at Takht-i Sulaiman provides an approximate date for this piece. Modern-day excavations of Takht-i Sulaiman have revealed thousands of tile fragments, which were once used as lavish ornamentation for palace walls that must have gleamed when light reflected their brilliant luster.

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