Stonepaste cross-shaped tile, luster-painted on an opaque white glaze and decorated with a spotted doe in movement against an asymetrical stylised vegetal background. Cursive inscription on white ground running all...
Stonepaste cross-shaped tile, luster-painted on an opaque white glaze and decorated with a spotted doe in movement against an asymetrical stylised vegetal background. Cursive inscription on white ground running all around the border and framing the central field. Three of the doe’s slender legs and several of the spiraling branches terminate in what resembles to be hare heads. All main decorative elements are reserved in white over a warm brown ground of opulent lustre and in spite of the asymmetry, the composition is nevertheless beautifully balanced. Cross tiles were very much in favour from the beginning of the 13th and well into the following century; our sample dates to the second half of the 13th century. Iran, Ilkhanid period.