c. 1560
During the second half of the sixteenth century, a great profusion of colors and motifs begins to appear in the Iznik tiles. This tile, 9 1/2 inches square, features the traditional blue and turquoise on a white slip, but a bright orange has been added. The rumi pattern spirals from one square to another and the glaze is thick, forming little mounds on the white slip. Since these tiles are identical in pattern to those framing the doorway of the famous Rustem Pasha Mosque in Istanbul (built by the architect Sinan in 1560) we may assume that they date from this period and may even have formed part of a consignment of tiles for the building.
H: 0.7 x W: 20.7 x Depth: 1.8 cm (8 1/8 x 8 1/8 x 11/16 in.)
Edwin Binney, 3rd, (by 1985), bequest; to Harvard University Art Museums, 1985.
Light gray earthenware with mold-impressed decoration
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13th centurySpanishLimestone
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5th centuryCopticMarble
11th-15th centuryItalianLight gray earthenware with mold-impressed decoration
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14th centuryFrenchCeramic
19th centuryPersian