Ceramic tiles have been produced for over 1,000 years in the Islamic world, from Iraq in the 9th century to Turkey in the 19th. The wealth of designs and colours used to decorate mosques, shrines and palaces also became a rich source of inspiration for European artists and designers. After first explaining the techniques of the craftsmen, including the invention of lustre and the use of blue and white, the author traces the development of tilework across a wide geographic area, beginning with the pre-Islamic tradition. Later decorative trends followed those of other forms of Islamic art, ranging from the influence of Chinese ornament to the glorification of the word of God through beautiful calligraphy. Illustrations are drawn primarily from the extensive collections of The British Museum, supplemented by outstanding pieces from other museums as well as tilework in situ.
