Glistering Beast
Tiles that Glister (1260-1310)
Much Iranian tilework is of exceptional quality and variety. These are examples of lustre tiles, which potters made in two stages. First they created blank, glazed tiles. Sometimes they painted part of the design into the glaze in blue before firing.
When the tile was cold, a painter executed the main decoration in metallic pigment.
The potter then refired the tile, and the metal fused to the glaze to create a reflective, glistering design.
[V&A]
Epic Iran
(May - September 2021)
Epic Iran explores 5,000 years of Iranian art, design and culture, bringing together over 300 objects from ancient, Islamic and contemporary Iran.
Iran was home to one of the great historic civilisations, yet its monumental artistic achievements remain unknown to many. Epic Iran explores this civilisation and the country's journey into the 21st century, from the earliest known writing – signalling the beginning of history in Iran – through to the 1979 Revolution and beyond. Ranging from sculpture, ceramics and carpets, to textiles, photography and film, the works in this exhibition reflect the country's vibrant historic culture, architectural splendours, the abundance of myth, poetry and tradition that have been central to Iranian identity for millennia, and the evolving, self-renewing culture evident today.
[V&A]
Taken in the V&A
Glistering Beast
Tiles that Glister (1260-1310)
Much Iranian tilework is of exceptional quality and variety. These are examples of lustre tiles, which potters made in two stages. First they created blank, glazed tiles. Sometimes they painted part of the design into the glaze in blue before firing.
When the tile was cold, a painter executed the main decoration in metallic pigment.
The potter then refired the tile, and the metal fused to the glaze to create a reflective, glistering design.
[V&A]
Epic Iran
(May - September 2021)
Epic Iran explores 5,000 years of Iranian art, design and culture, bringing together over 300 objects from ancient, Islamic and contemporary Iran.
Iran was home to one of the great historic civilisations, yet its monumental artistic achievements remain unknown to many. Epic Iran explores this civilisation and the country's journey into the 21st century, from the earliest known writing – signalling the beginning of history in Iran – through to the 1979 Revolution and beyond. Ranging from sculpture, ceramics and carpets, to textiles, photography and film, the works in this exhibition reflect the country's vibrant historic culture, architectural splendours, the abundance of myth, poetry and tradition that have been central to Iranian identity for millennia, and the evolving, self-renewing culture evident today.
[V&A]
Taken in the V&A