Cross- Shaped Tile Ilkhanid dynasty (1256–1353), 13th century, dated c.1262

This cross-shaped tile was made anonymously, at an unknown date, possibly in Persia, from fritware with underglaze painting. Looking at the visual codes, we can see the ways the image creates meaning through arabesque patterns and calligraphy, common features of Islamic art. Its geometric shape, in particular, suggests a larger ornamental context within a building. We can consider how specific features of that culture, such as religious beliefs, might have influenced the artwork, in that the emphasis on surface design could be related to the Islamic tradition’s avoidance of figural imagery in religious contexts. However, the tile’s secular location suggests it might not adhere to the same restrictions. The presence of this tile in a museum like the Art Institute also raises questions about the role of institutions in shaping artistic production and reception. Who decided this tile was worth preserving? And what criteria did they use? To fully understand the tile, we need to examine resources such as historical texts, archaeological reports, and comparative analyses of Islamic art and architecture.