Islamic Ghazni: Fired clay
Inv. no. IG6232
Glazed ceramic tiles
IsMEO / IsIAO Italian Archaeological Mission in Afghanistan, 1957-1966
Ghazni area
Unknown
IG6232a

Moulded relief decorated tile
Fired clay
Mould
8.5x8.3x8x8x0.8-1.1 cm
Late 12th - early 13th c.

Fragmentary incomplete monochrome square tile. Fine grey fabric, quite compact, with small fine black inclusions and sparse quartz temper. The tile is overfired, the glaze turns black-burgundy, it could have been originally turquoise. It is difficult to recognise the presence of slip. The rear surface is quite smooth but cracked. Moulded relief decoration representing a rampant quadruped, probably a felid, in profile, facing the dexter side, its left forefoot in the air. The animal is rendered with gaping jaws and shows a large tail raised with a vegetal end. The central motif is enclosed in a beaded frame.

Current location: Rome, Sapienza University
Neg. no.: –
Digital photos: A. Fusaro, 2012
Drawings: A. Fusaro, 2020
Gerda Henkel Stiftung | Università degli Studi di Napoli “L’Orientale”