Hexagonal Tile
Unknown Artist
first half 15th century
Medium
Composite body; underglaze painted
Dimensions
H. 7 1/8 in. (18.1 cm) W. 6 3/4 in. (17.1 cm) D. 13/16 in. (2 cm)
Classification
Ceramics-Tiles
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Museum Accession
Accession Number
x.228.1
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite hexagonal tile, crafted in the first half of the 15 century, exemplifies the refined ceramic artistry of the Islamic world. Measuring about 7 inches tall and wide, it features a composite body—likely a stonepaste or fritware mixture prized for its durability and ability to hold vibrant colors—decorated with underglaze. This technique involved applying pigments directly onto the unfired clay body before glazing and firing, ensuring the designs bonded permanently with the surface for a luminous, long-lasting effect. Produced during a golden age of Islamic tilework, possibly in re...