Tiles from the Takht-i Sulaiman: The Sole Surviving Seasonal Mongol Palace

Takht-i Sulaiman (literally, “Throne of Solomon”) is the site of the sole surviving palace of the Ilkhanid period and the only well-preserved example of Ilkhanid secular architecture. Excavations on the site between 1959 and 1978 revealed thousands of tile fragments, indicating that vividly painted gilt and lustered tiles were the primary means of ornamentation for a palace whose site was likely chosen not only for its climate and location, but also for its associations with ancient Iranian kingship. Join LACMA senior conservator John Hirx in an examination of these fragments of history.

 

 

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