Collection
/
Arts of the Islamic World

Panel of 16 Tiles from the Shrine of Zayn al-Mulk

A.H. 885/1480–81 C.E.

Brooklyn Museum photograph

Object Label

This panel once adorned a shrine in Isfahan, built by a wealthy patron named Jacfar ibn cImad ibn cAli al-Adhami al-Gulbari al-Hasani for his father, Zayn al-Mulk. The polychrome palette and intricate mosaic design—featuring motifs based on lotuses, palmettes, carnations, and lilies appearing amongst scrolling vines—are typical of late fifteenth-century architectural decoration under the Timurids. More panels and fragments from this tomb can be found in other North American and European collections.

Caption

Panel of 16 Tiles from the Shrine of Zayn al-Mulk, A.H. 885/1480–81 C.E.. Ceramic; fritware, painted in cobalt blue, turquoise, green, manganese purple, yellow ochre, and opaque white glazes, cut to shape in the mosaic faience technique and set in plaster, frame: 41 x 28 in. (104.1 x 71.1 cm) sight: 31 5/8 x 19 1/8 in. (80.3 x 48.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Evelyn Metzger, 77.196.3. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum)

Title

Panel of 16 Tiles from the Shrine of Zayn al-Mulk

Date

A.H. 885/1480–81 C.E.

Period

Aqqoyunlu

Geography

Place made: Isfahan, Iran

Medium

Ceramic; fritware, painted in cobalt blue, turquoise, green, manganese purple, yellow ochre, and opaque white glazes, cut to shape in the mosaic faience technique and set in plaster

Classification

Tiles

Dimensions

frame: 41 x 28 in. (104.1 x 71.1 cm) sight: 31 5/8 x 19 1/8 in. (80.3 x 48.6 cm)

Inscriptions

"From Mrs. Metgzar TL1977" painted on back of frame

Credit Line

Gift of Evelyn Metzger

Accession Number

77.196.3

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