A large and impressive Ilkhanid lustre mihrab tile, Persia, 13th/14th century

moulded in relief with an opacified tin glaze enhanced with cobalt blue and turquoise over-decorated in lustre, the central arched panel enclosing an inscription on a ground of spiralling floral tendrils, split-palmettes within the spandrels, bordered by a calligraphic band also in relief, set in old metal mount

Purchased on 2 March 1922 by the uncle of the consignor's grandfather, Émile Moreau (1868–1950), Governor of the Bank of Algeria, then Governor of the Banque of France. 
Thence by descent.

This work is accompanied by a copy of the original purchase invoice:
'Musée Oriental, Maison Raoutsi Ben Kalfate, Esplanade de Méchouar, Tlemcen, Algérie, 2 Mars 1922'.

In fairly good condition, intact, the lustre is generally bright, with chips and abrasions scattered throughout surface and old restorations including overpainting with some discoloration, some old dirt encrustations, has been set in old metal mount with six clasps around the borders, original firing lines visible to reverse, recently cleaned by a professional restorer, for advice on re-mounting, please consult a professional restorer, 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."

inscriptions

In the borders: Qur’an, chapter XI (Hud), verses 114-115.

In the centre (with parts repainted): Qur’an, chapter CXII (al-Ikhlas) and Qur’an, chapter III (Al ‘Imran), part of verse 18.

Following the devastating invasion of the Mongol hordes in the 1220s, the ceramic industry in Persia declined momentarily, only to be revived by a fresh approach and innovative design vocabulary. The use of lustre plays a prominent role in this expansion, and huge complexes, with monumental mihrab shrines were built, combining cobalt-blue, turquoise and honey-lustre tiles. Notable examples include the mihrab from the shrine at Mashhad, dated 640 AH/1242 AD (now in the Shrine Museum, Mashhad), the mihrab from the Imamzada Habib ibn Musa in Kashan, dated 667-670 AH/1268-71 AD (Iran Bastan Museum, Tehran, inv. no.3289), and the Mihrab from the Imamzada Ali ibn Ja’far, in Qumm, signed and dated 734 AH/1334 AD (now in the Iran Bastan Museum, Tehran, inv. no. 3270). A further magnificent example originally came from the Maidan Mosque in Kashan, dated to 623 AH/1226 AD, and now in the Museum für Islamische Kunst, Staatliche Museen, Berlin (inv. no.I. 5366) (For a further discussion and citation on these examples, see Watson 1985, pp.122-149).

Kashan mihrabs of this period are particularly impressive due to their size, variance in thickness and the unstable nature of the firing process at this time with pieces of this size. The even lustre that can be seen on this tile is particularly remarkable given the difficulties in controlling the passage of air throughout the kiln. The present example would have probably formed part of a central section from a larger mihrab panel as cited above. Two close comparables are in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, inv. no. C.1977-1910, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (inv. no.09.87), both which include stylised mosque lamps as part of their design, echoing their close relationship with light, through the medium of lustre and their function as propagators of the Divine word.