Star Tile with Lotus Decoration
14th century
Description
Molded in relief, this tile is decorated with stylized lotuses. The background and interior details of the plants are painted in brownish luster; the edge of the tile is outlined in cobalt blue. The lotus motif, as developed in the arts of East Asia, was introduced to the decorative repertoire of the Islamic lands under the Ilkhanids, who in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries ruled an area extending from Central Asia to Asia Minor. The Ilkhanids continued the practice established by their predecessors of decorating interior walls with revetments composed of star-and cross-shaped tiles. Relief tiles with related floral designs sometimes include animals and feature inscription bands around their rims.
Dimensions
Diam. 20.9 x Th. 1.5 cm (8 1/4 x 9/16 in.)
Provenance
Stanford and Norma Jean Calderwood, Belmont, MA (by 1978-2002), gift; to Harvard Art Museums, 2002.
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