Object Size: H:54.5 x W:40.0 x D:15.0 cm
This thickly potted earthenware tile has a pair of moulded figures with human bodies and deer-like heads, wearing loincloths and carrying shields and clubs. They are decorated with an emerald green and brown lead glaze, against a white ground. The lead-silicate based glaze was opacified with tin to produce a thick white glaze and green tones were produced with copper or iron oxide.The earliest known use of lead-glaze architectural tiles appear to date back to around the 10th century, in association with Kyaipu pagoda near Bago (Pegu). Between the 10th to 13th centuries, some 22 structures at Bagan have glazed decoration, including glazed earthenware tiles, bricks and sandstone surfaces. For example, the Ananda Temple (c. 1105 CE) still has green-glazed tiles in situ around the outer walls.
