LACMA

An artist made this tile in Iran a little over five hundred years ago. When it was made, most buildings in that part of the world were made of tan-colored bricks. In order to make a structure more beautiful, artists made glazed tiles like this one to cover outer walls with colorful patterns and detailed designs. What are some different shapes and colors that you see in the tile's design? What words would you use to describe this design?

This artwork was made by fitting together small pieces of ceramic tile like a puzzle to create the whole design. The pieces are held in place with mortar, which is similar to cement. This technique is called faience mosaic.

At the time the tile was made, a dynasty called the Timurids ruled the Iranian world. The Timurid rulers were well-known for constructing very large buildings, like religious institutions or royal residences. This tile probably came from the outside wall of a religious monument from the Timurid period.  If you could decorate a building in your neighborhood with colorful tiles, what building would it be? What would the tiles look like?

You can see this tile in the Islamic art galleries on the third level of the Ahmanson Building at LACMA.

Search Collections Online for other examples of Islamic tiles.

Tile
Greater Iran, 15th century
Fritware, glazed, cut to shape and assembled as mosaic
24 ¼ x 23 ½ x 2 ¾ in.
M.2002.1.19
The Madina Collection of Islamic Art, gift of Camilla Chandler Frost
Photo © 2006 Museum Associates/LACMA