Ceramic Architectural Decoration

Tiles like this would probably have embellished the tops of fortress walls as decorative projections. The molding process used to make this tile would have allowed for the easy production of identical pieces, an important consideration in a region in which symmetry and repetition were highly valued. The arabesque design, molded in three dimensions, emphasizes the interlacing pattern of elements weaving over and under one another. This decorative feature can also be found in other objects from the era, such as metalwork.