Tile from a Frieze

Art Historical Context

This exquisite tile from a frieze, crafted in the second half of the 13th century, hails from the vibrant world of Islamic ceramics. Measuring about 11 inches square, it features molded stonepaste— a fine, vitreous body developed in the Islamic world to mimic porcelain—with intricate overglaze luster-p that imparts a shimmering, metallic glow reminiscent of precious metals. Human figures, hinted at in its design, suggest it adorned a secular architectural setting, such as a palace or mosque mihrab, where such lively motifs flourished. Lusterware like this reached its zenith in 13th-century Sy...