ColorOurCollections: Isfahan tile, Leighton House

Tile Panel: Isfahan, Iran, early 17th century

This is one of four tiles showing figures standing within a colonnade of arches set inside a garden. The four figures are holding flowers and elegantly dressed in the fashion of the court of early 17th century Iran. This was the time when the ruler Shah Abbas I (r. 1588–1629) made the city of Isfahan his capital and started an extensive building programme. These tiles, which were probably originally from a private house, were made in the city at this time. This style of ware is sometimes given the name Kubachi, after a town in the Caucasus, because large quantities were traded, collected and taken there. They were subsequently discovered by 19th century Armenian, Russian and European travellers who initially assumed they had also been made there.

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ColorOurCollections: Isfahan tile, Leighton House

Published on Aug 13, 2021

Leighton House and Sambourne House

Join us with your pencils, paints or tablet to colour some of our favourite patterns and designs to be discovered in Leighton House and Sambourne House. This is one of four tiles showing figures standing within a colonnade of arches set inside a garden. The four figures are holding flowers and elegantly dressed in the fashion of the court of early 17th century Iran. This was the time when the ruler Shah Abbas I (r. 1588–1629) made the city of Isfahan his capital and started an extensive building programme. These tiles, which were probably originally from a private house, were made in the city at this time. This style of ware is sometimes given the name Kubachi, after a town in the Caucasus, because large quantities were traded, collected and taken there. They were subsequently discovered by 19th century Armenian, Russian and European travellers who initially assumed they had also been made there.

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