Publication Date
Approximately 668-710 AH / 1270-1310 AD
Publication Place
-
National Museum of Oman
Subject
A piece of glazed pottery
Type
Other
Language
Undetermined
Digital
Yes
Manuscript
No
Physical Dimensions
الطول : 24,5 سم ، العرض : 19 سم ، السماكة : 2 سم
Library
Museum With No Frontiers
Library Asset ID
2013,3225
Record ID
object;EPM;on;Mus21;36;ar
Library Location
National Museum of Oman
Date
Approximately 668-710 AH / 1270-1310 AD
Notes
It was the ancient city of Qalhat, known as the twin city of Hormuz. It is the main port in northern Oman. Between the 7th and 9th centuries AH / 13th and 15th century AD, the city’s mosque was the most famous architectural edifice among its buildings. It was built in the year 699 AH / 1300 AD by Bibi Maryam. Wife of Baha al-Din Ayaz, king of Hormuz, and ruler of the city. The Arab geographer Ibn Battuta visited the city of Qalhat in the 8th century AH/14AD, and left a description of the mosque, shortly after the completion of its construction, which stated: “The city of Qalhat is on the coast, and it has good markets, and it has one of the best mosques, its walls are tiled, and it is similar to tiles, and it is high, from which it looks at the sea and the marina...” This is part of a square tile; It includes an engraving of a trefoil arch, painted in blue, on a background with a gilded metallic lustre, and its background features have largely disappeared. However, traces of it can be seen when the piece is exposed to oblique light. The decorative style of this piece consists of engravings of flower-shaped plant stems, which is the dominant decorative style of faience in the mosque.
Sample Text
“Breaking a Tile” within Discover Islamic Art Collections. Museum Without Borders, 2026. https://islamicart.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=object;EPM;on;Mus21;36;ar
