Tile with Qur'anic Inscription
Ilkhanid dynasty (1256–1353), Early 14th century
Medium
Fritware with molded decoration, leaf gilding, and red over a blue glaze
Dimensions
18.3 × 34.8 × 4.2 cm (7 3/16 × 14 1/8 × 1 5/8 in.)
Classification
earthenware
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
86645
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Overglaze painted ceramics on a blue background, called lajvardina, were developed by Ilkhanid potters in 14th-century Iran. Lajvardina wares are known for geometric patterns, although calligraphy can also be present, especially on tiles. Such tiles have not survived in large quantities because the gold leaf and overglaze painting have suffered from exposure to the elements.Despite the diminishment of its gold leaf decoration, this tile illustrates the lavish end results of the lajvardina techni...
About the Artist
Islamic
Islamic art, a profound visual tradition originating in the 7th century CE, flourished across vast territories from Spain to India under Muslim rule, encompassing architecture, ceramics, manuscripts, textiles, and metalwork produced by diverse artisans rather than a single named master. Drawing from pre-Islamic Sasanian, Byzantine, and late antique influences, its early development under the Umayy...