tile

Eight-pointed star tile, repaired with a fragment of another tile. Fritware (stonepaste), painted in blue, turquoise and lustre over an opaque white glaze. The central field is et in the open, with flowers, foliage and a plump bird. It depicts a seated figure and a second, stooping, figure who is pouring wine from a bottle into an open bowl supported on a tripod. Both are wearing richly patterned tunics with hats with back flaps and feathers. Two smaller faces behind probably represent attendants. The inscription around the border contains a number of elements: verses of Persian poetry, a statement that it was made in Kashan and the date are followed by a phrase in Arabic. The lower right edge has been broken off and replaced by a fragment of another tile showing the beginnings of a verse from the Shahnameh.