Architectural Boss
Unknown Artist
13th century
Medium
Stonepaste; molded, carved, and glazed
Dimensions
H. 2 5/8 in. (6.7 cm) D: 5 3/4 in. (14.6 cm) Diam. 5 3/4 in. (14.6 cm)
Classification
Ceramics-Tiles
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Anonymous Gift, 1974
Accession Number
1974.370.12
Art Historical Context
This exquisite *Architectural Boss*, crafted in the 13th, hails from the rich tradition of Islamic art and exemplifies the architectural splendor of the medieval Islamic world. Measuring just 2 5/8 inches high 5 3/4 inches in diameter this small yet impactful ceramic tile was designed as a decorative projection—likely for vaulted ceilings or structural intersections in mosques, palaces, or madrasas. Its compact form belies its role in enhancing grand interiors, where such bosses drew the eye upward in intricate patterns. Made of stonepaste (a fine-grained frit body prized for its porcelain-li...