Star-Shaped Tile

Art Historical Context

Nestled in the Islamic Art collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, star-shaped tile from the 14th century the exquisite ceramic artistry of the medieval Islamic world. Crafted an unknown artist, its geometric form—evoking a radiant eight- or twelve-pointed star—was a hallmark of architectural decoration, often assembling into intricate mosaic panels adorning mosques, madrasas, and palaces across Persia, Syria, and beyond. from stonepaste (also known as fritware), composite material of quartz, clay, and glass frit, the tile mimics the translucency of coveted Chinese porcelain while allo...