Medieval Persian Ghaznavid Glazed Tile of Griffin
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
ca. 12th to 13th century CE
Near East / Central Asia, Afghanistan or Eastern Iran, Ghazni Region, Ghaznavid Dynasty, ca. 12th to 13th century CE. A square, monochrome-glazed pottery tile featuring a heraldic griffin-like creature prancing to the right, its vine-like tail curling gracefully upward.
Mold-made, the tile is framed by a raised, dotted border and exemplifies the decorative ceramic tradition associated with the Ghaznavid Dynasty. Tiles of this type have been excavated from the historic site of Ghazni and are known for their stylized zoomorphic motifs associated with pre-Islamic design, and refined craftsmanship. For comparison, see a similar example in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art (Accession Number: 1975.193.4).
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Physical characteristics
- Material (listing wording)
- monochrome-glazed pottery
- Dimensions or weight (listing wording)
- 4" L x 4" W
Identification
- Source note
- Auction-house description published on Invaluable. Attribution and measurements are the auction house’s statements about the photographed example; independent type authentication remains research required.
- Listing object ID
- 197076190
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Independent confirmation of type attribution and auction-house statements remains research required.