A star-shaped Kashan lustre pottery tile, Persia, dated 627 AH/1230 AD

Of octagonal form, painted in golden lustre and cobalt blue with touches of turquoise, with a pair of haloed figures seated above a pond with an aquatic bird flying overhead, reserved on a solid lustre ground scratched through with small scrolls and bordered by a white frame with an inscription band in naskh

Islamic Art from the Collection of the Fogg Museum, The Fogg Art Museum, Harvard University, 1974
From the Way of the Favored: Objects from the World of Islam, Harvard Art Museums, n.d.
Birds, Beasts and Calligraphy, Harvard Art Museums, 1981
Islamic Art and the Written World, Harvard Art Museums, 1983

clean break with repair, one corner with plaster infill, as viewed
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

inscriptions

The inscriptions include the date jumadi al-awwal the year six hundred and twenty seven (equivalent to March/April 1230 AD).

Two related tiles depicting two confronted figures before a fish-pool are in the David Collection, Copenhagen (inv. no. 37/2000 and 26/1967), see von Folsach 2001, no. 210, p.168. Other examples, dated to 1266-7, which bear similar animal and figural decoration with calligraphic borders, are found in the Louvre and originate from the Imamzada Ja'far at Damghan (see Watson 1985, fig.110, p.133). 

Only a few examples of Kashan ware from this period are signed but the fine quality and expressive character of the present example suggest that it was painted by a master decorator in the vein of Abu Zaid underlining the close relationship between the mina'i and lustre ateliers (Watson 1985, p.84).