Tile with Niche Design and Inscription
Unknown Artist
early 14th century
Medium
Stonepaste; inglaze painted in blue, luster-painted on opaque white glaze, modeled decoration
Dimensions
H. 19 3/4 in. (50.4 cm) W. 18 3/4 in. (47.6 cm) D. 3 in. (7.6 cm) without mount: H. 19 in. (48.3 cm) W. 18 in. (45.7 cm) Wt. 61 lbs (27.7 kg)
Classification
Ceramics-Tiles
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
H.O. Havemeyer Collection, Gift of Horace Havemeyer, 1940
Accession Number
40.181.4
Art Historical Context
This stunning tile, featuring a niche design and inscription, hails from the early 14th century and exemplifies the pinnacle of Islamic ceramic artistry. Crafted in stonepaste—a composite body of quartz, clay, and frit that mimicked porcelain's translucency—the tile depicts a recessed architectural niche, likely evoking the mihrab of a mosque or a luxurious palace interior. The modeled decoration adds three-dimensional depth, while intricate blue underglaze painting contrasts beautifully against an opaque white glaze, finished with shimmering luster accents that catch the light like gold. Pro...