Tile
Unknown Artist
late 15th century
Medium
Stonepaste; polychrome painted under transparent glaze
Dimensions
H. 7 7/8 in. (20 cm) W. 7 7/8 in. (20 cm)
Classification
Ceramics-Tiles
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Purchase, Elizabeth S. Ettinghausen Gift, in memory of Richard Ettinghausen, 2008
Accession Number
2008.461
Art Historical Context
This exquisite square tile, crafted by an unknown artist in the 15th century, the pinnacle of Islamic ceramic artistry. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Department Islamic Art, it measures a modest 7⅞ x 7⅞ inches (20 x 20 cm) yet carries the grandeur of grand architectural ensembles. Acquired through the Elizabeth S. Ettinghausen in memory of Richard Etthausen in 2008, it reflects the enduring legacy of tiles in adorning mosques, madrasas, and palaces across the Islamic world. Made from stonepaste—a composite of quartz, clay, and glass frit developed by Islamic potters to mimic Chin...