first half 15th century
Town probably Malaga,
Spain
Spain
Object qualities
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Objectdecorative tile: Star-shaped tile
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Type of arts & crafts
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MediumEarthenware; luster-painted on opaque white glaze
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SizeH. 9 3/4 in (24.8 cm) W. 93/4 in. (24.8 cm)
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Geography detailsMade in
Town probably Malaga,
Spain -
Country today
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Datefirst half 15th century
Source of information
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Type of sourceDatabase “Metropolitan Museum of Art”
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Fund that the source refers toMetropolitan Museum of Art
Description
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Eight-pointed star tiles from Nasrid Spain are rare, but this example bears motifs specific to lusterware produced in Málaga, such as the botanical decoration radiating from a central flower or plant motif. The grapevine pattern with naturalistic leaves and bunches of fruit is a reference to the classical heritage of Islamic art.
The arrival of the luster-painting technique in Islamic Spain is now thought to have come from Egyptian craftsmen who moved to the Malagan coast after the fall of the Fatimid Empire in 1171. The relocation of such craftsmen contributed to the dissemination of designs from North Africa and the western Islamic world into Andalusian arts.