Lot 125. A large Kashan lustre pottery frieze tile, Iran, circa 1300. Estimate 10,000 — 15,000 GBP. Lot sold 16,100 GBP. Photo: Sotheby's.

of square form moulded in relief with an opacified tin glaze enhanced with copper green and cobalt blue over-decorated in lustre with a monumental inscription in naskh against a ground of leaves and scrolls, raised arabesque border above, a minor band below; 38 by 35cm.

Inscription : Parts of an inscription in Persian: be-goftar-e payghambarat - 'According to the saying of the Prophet'

Note: Comparable tilework was made for the shrine at Natanz of which examples can be found in a number of public and private collections, including one in the Victoria and Albert Museum dated Shawwal 707 / March 1308 (Watson 1985, p.139, no.116).

Sotheby's. Arts of the Islamic World, including Fine Carpets and Textiles, London, 24 Oct 2007