Tile

second half 15th century

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 457

So extravagant was the Alhambra palace that even some floors bore expensive ceramic tile. This tile probably comes from the Alhambra’s Comares hall where fourteenth-century tiles were replaced in the late fifteenth century by new ones like this example, bearing similar designs but executed in cuerda seca. The tiles paving the hall today date to the sixteenth century.

Artwork Details

Title: Tile
Date: second half 15th century
Geography: Country of Origin Spain
Medium: Earthenware; molded, cobalt-painted on an opaque white glaze powdered with gold under a transparent glaze
Dimensions: H. 6 1/2 in. (16.5 cm)
W. 5 1/2 in. (14 cm)
D. 1 in. (2.5 cm)
Classification: Ceramics-Tiles
Credit Line: Gift of Henry G. Marquand, 1894
Object Number: 94.4.394
Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

Audio

6783. Tile

Music

0:00

ZEYBA RAHMAN: Spain under Muslim rulers was a flourishing and prosperous society. It fostered cross fertilization in the visual arts, literature and music of the Arab Lands and Mediterranean Jewish society. It did so because inherent in Islam indeed, decreed, is the right of all non-Muslim citizens to practice their religion unhindered. As a result, the medieval kingdom of Al Andalous became a hallmark for the rich, unique Jewish-Muslim culture. This is known as the golden period of Muslim Spain. The Sephardic Jewish music emanating from this era is part of the wider Islamic musical tradition even today. Our choice of music here, Shalom, Salam, or Peace, personifies this spirit. Let’s listen to Francoise Atlan & the Orchestra of Fes under the direction of Mohammad Briouel, performing from the Judeo-Arab Andalusian tradition now.

MUSIC

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Brasero, Earthenware; molded, luster-painted on opaque white glaze — Brasero
late 15th–early 16th century

Star-Shaped Tile, Earthenware; luster-painted on opaque white glaze — Star-Shaped Tile
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Beads, Gold, cloisonné enamel, pearls; filigree — Beads
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Beads from a Necklace, Gold, cloisonné enamel, pearls; filigree — Beads from a Necklace
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