“Talking” Tiles from Vanished Ilkhanid Palaces (Late Thirteenth to Early Fourteenth Centuries): Frieze Luster Tiles with Verses from the Shah-nama

Luster tiles in Ilkhanid palace decoration are repeatedly linked with the site of Takht-i Sulaiman (Iran). However, the collection and analysis of ninety-two frieze luster tiles (or frag-ments) characterized by a similar scheme indicates the existence of other palatial locations. Sorting the tiles results in at least eight different friezes. Consequently, possible locations of other Ilkhanid palaces are investigated. Textual contents mainly originate from Firdausi’s Shah-nama. However, the excerpts found on tiles are seldom narrative but allude to the enjoyment of nature, drinking, and beauty. The suitability of these poetic quotes for Ilkha-nid palace decoration is thus further analyzed.

Porter, Yves. (2021). “Talking” Tiles from Vanished Ilkhanid Palaces (Late Thirteenth to Early Fourteenth Centuries): Frieze Luster Tiles with Verses from the Shah-nama. Journal of Material Cultures in the Muslim World, Volume 2 (Issue 1-2), 97-149. https://doi.org/10.1163/26666286-12340019

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