A Zilij Mosaic Border Panel with blue and black tiles, Spain (Andalucia) or Morocco, 14th Century

a polychrome mosaic border tile panel in shades of cobalt blue, black and white glazes, comprising a geometric pattern of small blue diamonds framed by a series of cusped black arches separated by interlocking white segments within two blue borders

ex-Collection Bud Holland, Chicago

In overall good condition, has been broken and restored, some small abrasions to the edges and slight surface rubbing in patches, 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."

This tile would have formed part of a calligraphic frieze or hizam, in the architecture of the Maghreb, or a frieze-like border above larger mosaic panels set in the lower walls of buildings in Morocco or Moorish Spain under the Nasrids.

Tile mosaic, cut tilework and mosaic faience are the various terms used to describe a technique which was first adopted in Anatolia in the early thirteenth-century and appeared in Iran and Central Asia a century later (see Porter 1995, pp.17-18).  Tile mosaic is one of the most popular and extensively used forms of tiling in Moorish art, and the term zilig comes from Morocco.  Placed alongside the white stucco decoration with fine plant motifs, such tiling has imparted a lively appearance to inner walls with their graceful geometric patterns and bright colours.  The technique, well known to us through the Islamic art of the East, has been employed in Spain and north-west Africa with different colour schemes, designs and purely geometric compositions with no parallels in the eastern Islamic world.

Similar mosaic panels dating to the sixteenth century can be seen in situ at the courtyard of the Madrasah Bin Yusuf in Marrakesh, Morocco.  These form a border above the main wall decoration of geometric mosaics and carved friezes of intaglio zilig work (illustrated in Gönül Öney 1987, p.136, col.pl.138).