Mihrab tile

19th century

At the top of this tile appears the name of Sultan Abū Sa’īd Bahādur Khān, last ruler of Persia’s Il-Khanid Dynasty (1256–1335). Depicting tile mosaics and a four-pointed arch, the tile also reflects that era’s architecture. But the tile dates to over five centuries later, when the Qajar Dynasty ruled Persia. The Qajars were fascinated with Persia’s long history, and their art frequently referenced its glories, even those before Islam. The original architectural context for this tile is unknown. It might have been part of a larger tiled wall in a religious building or a palace.

Stonepaste; polychrome painted under transparent glaze

21 x 17 in. (53.34 x 43.18 cm)

Eugene Fuller Memorial Collection

38.24

Provenance: [J. Zado Noorian, New York, by 1937]; purchased from Mr. Noorian by Seattle Art Museum (Eugene Fuller Memorial Collection), January 6, 1938

Now on view at the Seattle Art Museum

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