Ancient times.

The earliest use of decorative tiles was found in Egypt, around 4000 BC. A breakthrough in tile
production technology took place in Mesopotamia in the 9th century BC and is associated with the
invention of glaze. After application to the product surface, the enamel melted at high temperature and
coated the tile with a water-impermeable layer. Archaeologists have discovered many examples of
impressive glazed ceramic tiles from that period in the ruins of the palace of Nebuchadnezzar II in
Babylon. Another example is the Ishtar Gate of Babylon from around 575 BC.

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The reconstructed Ishtar Gate at the Pergamon Museum in Berlin.

Islamic period.

In the Islamic period, the use of decorative ceramic tiles as decorations both outside and inside buildings
became widespread. During the period of the Persian Timurid Empire, artisans used the moraq
technique. Single-colour tiles were cut into small shapes and put together by pouring plaster in between
them. After drying, the panels were put together on the walls. Best examples of Islamic tiles from the
12th century include the Shah Mosque in Isfahan, the Dome of Maraqeh and the Jame Mosque of
Gonabad.

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The Shah Mosque is one of the masterpieces of Persian architecture.

The Middle Ages.

Decorative tiles became popular in the Middle Ages. Due to the high price, they became a measure of
social status. Only royalty, churches and ecclesiastic institutions could afford to buy tiles. Tiles with
painted scenes from the Bible were especially popular and became a kind of ‘Bible’ that illiterate people
can read. Letter tiles were also popular and often used to create Christian texts on church floors.