Tile Fragment

Art Historical Context

This exquisite tile fragment, dating to the 14 century (1334–4), hails from the Islamic world, likely Iran or a neighboring region during the post-Mongol era. Crafted by an unknown artist, it showcases the ingenuity of medieval Islamic potters in the medium of stonepaste—a composite of quartz, clay, and frit that mimics porcelain's translucency while being more durable for architectural use. Acquired through the Rogers Fund in 1945, it now graces the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Islamic Art department. The tile's technique—polychrome painting under a transparent glaze—is a hallmark of this pe...