Los Angeles County Museum of Art
Los Angeles, US

AD second half of the 16th century The recurring motif featuring three circles intricately intertwined with parallel wavy lines, reminiscent of abstracted leopard spots and tiger stripes, was a common design element found in various Ottoman art forms. These motifs were crafted both for the imperial court in Istanbul and in regional workshops like Damascus. In this particular hexagonal tile, an artist from Syria skillfully replicated the design, although they deviated from the traditional color scheme of red and blue against a white background typically associated with classic Iznik ceramics. Instead, the tile boasts a striking decoration in a combination of turquoise and black, which exemplifies the prevalent color palette seen in Syrian tiles during the Ottoman era.