Publication Date
Century (seventh/thirteenth) (eighth/fourteenth)
Publication Place
-
National Museum of Oriental Art
Subject
Dark blue porcelain with a metallic luster.
Type
Other
Language
Undetermined
Digital
Yes
Manuscript
No
Physical Dimensions
العرض: 21 سم
Library
Museum With No Frontiers
Library Asset ID
90, 91, 92, 93, 94
Record ID
object;ISL;it;Mus01;30;ar
Library Location
Museum of Civilizations | Museum of Oriental Art Giuseppe Tucci
Date
Century (seventh/thirteenth) (eighth/fourteenth)
Notes
Designed in the shape of a star, this tile dates back to the end of the 7th/13th century and is known as Qashani, after the famous production center of Qashan in central-northern Iran. These tiles were made of multiple materials and colours, their materials were mixed, and they were grilled in different periods, and they were very shiny. It was used to cover the walls of large rooms, making it appear smaller in size and smoother in appearance. As for its decoration, it represents in the middle images of animals (such as cats, rabbits, elephants, etc.) and drawings surrounded by floral and plant shapes. Around one of these tiles is an image of a rabbit, on which is written a section of Surat Al-Nasr from the Holy Qur’an, number 110: “In the Name of God, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful.” “When God’s victory and conquest come” “And you will see the people entering into God’s religion in crowds.” “So glorify the praise of your Lord and ask His forgiveness. Indeed, He is Forgiving.” Around another we find an image of an elephant and a phoenix flying in the air, bearing the date 691/1291-92) and a phrase from Ferdowsi’s Shahnameh relating to the story of the return of Isfahandiyar from Goshtazeb, and the written text says: Kanun hord yayed mi khushkwar ki mi yuy mishk idaz joybahwaber khrush wa zamin yarz gosh mohanan ana dil shad dard bishushar) Now you must We drink cheerfully/ Where the smell of grass comes from the river/ And the air screams loudly and the earth is discontented/ Happy is he who is content to drink.)
Sample Text
Paola Torre “Star Tiles” in Discover Islamic Art. Museum Without Borders, 2026. https://islamicart.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=object;ISL;it;Mus01;30;ar
