.jpg?w=1)
.jpg?w=1)
Lot Essay
INSCRIPTIONS:
Qur'an LXXVI, sura al-insan, v. 14 (part).
On this tile the Qur'anic inscription in elegant, cobalt-blue thuluth stands out in relief against the lustre foliate ground. Its decorative style, imposing calligraphy and size indicate that it would have formed part of an architectural frieze, probably set above a dado of geometric, star-shaped tiles of the same style. The absence of figural details on our tile, such as birds within the foliage surrounding the Qur’anic inscription, suggests that it was made for a mosque or religious structure, where the strict aniconic rule applies. A number of similar tiles now form part of prominent museum collections. See for example a tile in the Asian Art Museum, San Francisco (inv. no. B60P2132). A comparable tile whose inscription comprises the following part of this Qur’anic verse was sold at Sotheby’s, London, 9 April 2014, lot 2. Another sold in these Rooms, 2 May 2019, lot 21.
Qur'an LXXVI, sura al-insan, v. 14 (part).
On this tile the Qur'anic inscription in elegant, cobalt-blue thuluth stands out in relief against the lustre foliate ground. Its decorative style, imposing calligraphy and size indicate that it would have formed part of an architectural frieze, probably set above a dado of geometric, star-shaped tiles of the same style. The absence of figural details on our tile, such as birds within the foliage surrounding the Qur’anic inscription, suggests that it was made for a mosque or religious structure, where the strict aniconic rule applies. A number of similar tiles now form part of prominent museum collections. See for example a tile in the Asian Art Museum, San Francisco (inv. no. B60P2132). A comparable tile whose inscription comprises the following part of this Qur’anic verse was sold at Sotheby’s, London, 9 April 2014, lot 2. Another sold in these Rooms, 2 May 2019, lot 21.