Panel of 16 Tiles from the Shrine of Zayn al-Mulk
Arts of the Islamic World
On View: Arts of the Islamic World, 2nd floor
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.
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
DATES
A.H. 885/1480-81 C.E.
PERIOD
Aqqoyunlu
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) (show scale)
INSCRIPTIONS
"From Mrs. Metgzar TL1977" painted on back of frame
COLLECTIONS
Arts of the Islamic World
ACCESSION NUMBER
77.196.3
CREDIT LINE
Gift of Evelyn Metzger
PROVENANCE
Prior to 1931, provenance not yet documented; by 1931, reportedly acquired by P. Jackson Higgs of New York, NY; between 1931 and 1973, provenance not yet documented; December 7, 1973, purchased at Sotheby's New York, "Egyptian, Western Asiatic, Islamic, Greek, Roman, Etruscan Antiquities, the property of various owners including the Hagop Kevorkian Fund, New York," lot 374, by Evelyn Metzger of New York, NY; December 14, 1977, gift of Evelyn Metzger to the Brooklyn Museum.
Provenance FAQ
EXHIBITIONS
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is on view in Arts of the Islamic World, 2nd floor
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). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Evelyn Metzger, 77.196.3. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.77.196.3.jpg)
IMAGE
overall, CUR.77.196.3.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2008
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RIGHTS STATEMENT
Creative Commons-BY
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