A Large Lajvardina Tile, Persia, 14th Century

of square form, moulded and painted in underglaze cobalt blue, overglaze decoration in brownish red, white and gold, with a large flying phoenix with flame-like tail against a scroll ground, narrow floral band below and a border of lotus palmettes above, mounted in a metal frame

Formerly in the Collection of Henri D'Allemagne

Breaks throughout with associated restoration, areas of rubbing to overglaze decoration particularly the gilding, as viewed
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Similar tiles depicting phoenixes have been found at Takht-i Sulaiman ("Throne of Soloman"), the summer palace of the Mongol Ilkhan, Abaka, constructed in the 1270s. A cobalt and lustre frieze tile of similar size and design is in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, see Komaroff and Carboni 2002, p.94, fig.97. The current lot and the example in the Metropolitan Museum are typical of frieze tiles from this period, with a broad central zone between two narrower bands of unequal width that serve as borders (ibid. p.264, no. 94). These tiles were probably made from the same mould and then decorated in different techniques.