Lot 198: AN ILKHANID LUSTRE AND COBALT BLUE FRITWARE STAR TILE, LATE 13TH TO EARLY 14TH CENTURY

An eight-pointed star-shaped architectural tile (shamsa) originating from Iran, dating to the Ilkhanid period of the late 13th to early 14th century. The tile is constructed from fritware (stonepaste) and is decorated in a style strongly attributed to the ceramic production centres of Kashan. The central field features two seated figures with characteristic circular moon-faces, dressed in patterned robes. They are set against a dense background of scrolling foliate and floral motifs executed in golden-brown overglaze lustre.

The central scene is enclosed by a wide border of deep underglaze cobalt blue containing a continuous band of reserved white calligraphy. The script is a cursive Naskh or Thuluth, typically used on such tiles to transcribe Persian poetic verses or religious texts. The outermost edge of the star is finished with a thin band of lustre.

L: 20cm