The creation of Persian tiles began about 1200 A.D. After the conquering of Timur, the Persian people learned from the Chinese that various colors could be incorporated into one tile.  By 1500 A.D. persian tile as we know it today was produced in large numbers.  It reached its peak in popularity in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Persian tiles originally had both a decorative and functional use. The decorative was always part of Persian culture.  For a thousand years or so, the Near Eastern trade with North Africa (Tunisia, Morocco, Turkey) saw European countries importing these tiles. Spain and Portugal began to use and incorporate these tiles into the main fabric of their culture beginning hundreds of years ago.  The Persian influence remains strong even to this day on the continent of Europe.

Ceramic handmade tiles are color coordinated and are fitted together according to pattern, texture, and shape. Islamic art and culture is often incorporated. These tiles are now produced in many parts of the predominantly Islamic world including Uzbekistan, Iran, Morocco to name a few.

“Rumi, who is one of the greatest Persian poets, said that the truth was a mirror in the hands of God. It fell, and broke into pieces. Everybody took a piece of it, and they looked at it and thought they had the truth.“

Courtesy of Amaco, 1st Dibs, Feoli Fine Art