A MOULDED CALLIGRAPHIC POTTERY TILE FRAGMENT Timurid... Lot 231

A MOULDED CALLIGRAPHIC POTTERY TILE FRAGMENT Timurid Iran or Central Asia, 15th century Of rectangular shape, painted in cobalt blue and outlined in black against a white ground, showing a fragmentary section of a calligraphic panel with three tall shafts, a shaddah and the short 'a' vowel sound (fatha), all set against scrolling vegetal meanderings, 22cm x 17cm. For an almost identical pottery tile panel with a moulded thuluth calligraphic inscription on cobalt blue background, please check the British Museum (acc. no. G.502). This tile, one of the few in the museum's collection dating to the Timurid period and presenting a complete, readable moulded inscription, was previously part of the scientist Frederick Du Cane Godman's collection (15 January 1834-19 February 1919) and the British Museum acquired it in 1983.