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Partial Niche-Form Tile

second half 13th century
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 455
Tiles with applied columnar decoration, such as this one, often formed the lower portion of elaborate composite mihrab tile panels installed in religious structures during the Ilkhanid period. The prominent lotus flower motifs decorating this tile were likely adapted from similar floral forms in Chinese iconography. This tile is attributed to the second half of the 13th century, after the establishment of Ilkhanid rule in the region and the opening of continuous trade networks between Iran and China.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Partial Niche-Form Tile
  • Date: second half 13th century
  • Geography: Attributed to Iran
  • Medium: Stonepaste; luster-painted on opaque white glaze, modeled
  • Dimensions: H. 14 in. (35.6 cm)
    W. 14 in. (35.6 cm)
  • Classification: Ceramics-Tiles
  • Credit Line: The Grinnell Collection, Bequest of William Milne Grinnell, 1920
  • Object Number: 20.120.219
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

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