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Star-shaped tile with inscription from the Qur'an
Star-shaped tile with inscription from the Qur'an

Star-shaped tile with inscription from the Qur'an

Place of OriginIran
Dateapprox. 1200-1300
PeriodIlkhanid period (1256-1353)
MaterialsGlazed fritware with underglaze painting
DimensionsH. 1 1/2 in x Diam. 8 1/4 in, H. 3.8 cm x Diam. 21 cm
Credit LineThe Avery Brundage Collection
Object numberB60P2033
DepartmentWest Asian Art
ClassificationsCeramics
On View
Not on view
Inscribednashki script on edge: "In the name of God, most gracious, most merciful: Whatever is in the heavens and on earth doth declare the praises and glory of God, the sovereign, the holy one, the exalted in might, the wise. It is He who has sent amongst the unlettered an apostle from among themselves to rehearse to them His signs, to sanctify them and to instruct them in scripture and wisdom although they had been, before, in manifest error." (Koran 62:1-3) in center: "al'izz wad-dawla (might and dominion)"
More Information
The large Arabic words in the center of this tile read "might and dominion." The much smaller writing in the border of the tile quotes a verse from the Koran reading "In the name of God, most gracious, most merciful: Everything in the heavens and on earth declares the praises and glory of God, the sovereign, the holy one, the exalted in might, the wise. It is He who has sent to the unlettered an apostle from among themselves to rehearse to them His signs, to sanctify them, and to instruct them in scripture and wisdom although they had been, before, in manifest error." Tiles of this shape would have alternated with tiles shaped like plus signs with pointed arms to cover a wall completely.
Subject
  • Quran