This hexagonal tile is covered with a brown lustre glaze and decorated with floral and foliage motifs. Lustre hexagonal tiles such as this are rare. The light blue splashes on the tile suggest that it was originally intended for a different design, but it was perhaps misfired and later given a lustre firing.The use of glazed tiles to decorate the walls of buildings has a long tradition in the Islamic world. The clothing of entire buildings with tiles became very popular from the 14th century onwards. A variety of designs are found on tiles, majority of which are floral or geometric. Geometrical designs are often used in Islamic art as they create the impression of unending repetition, which is believed to encourage the contemplation of the infinite nature of God.
