Persian tiles began to be manufactured in the thirteenth century, after Persia conquered Timur. Persian potters were fascinated with the Chinese pottery style they discovered, which permitted many colors to appear on one tile. Persian tile decoration, termed Ghlami, in which several colors are brush-painted on a tile in the intricate geometric patterns characteristic of Islamic art, reached its height in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. This technique can be reproduced in the modern classroom by painting the tiles using either the majolica technique, or more simply with liquid glazes. The majolica process, which arose in the Middle Ages and was refined during the Renaissance, is used to create elaborately decorated ceramics in which white tin-glazed earthenware is painted and decorated with oxides and stains. This traditional technique is still popular with modern artists, and can be reproduced with easier-to-use and safer materials.
To make majolica tiles, at least three coats of opaque white glaze are applied to 6" unglazed bisque tiles. Then the design is transferred to the surface of the tile using carbon paper, and the carbon outline is filled in with glaze pencils or by brush using majolica gloss color glazes. Backgrounds are also filled in with majolica gloss color glazes, applying at least three coats of glaze. Traditional Persian designs are usually repeated patterns of abstract renderings of floral, bird, animal, and geometrical forms. Since Persian tiles were often used to make murals or decorate walls and floors, designs must be made keeping in mind the precise number of tiles needed. For example, if the finished piece is a square of 4 tiles, then the original design must incorporate a 4-tile composition and measure 12" by 12". Finally, the tiles are fired to cone 04 (760°C = 1400°F) for 4 hours, to create the glossy surface and rich colors associated with majolica ceramics.
To make Persian tiles using liquid glazes, start with a 6" unglazed bisque tile, and transfer the design to the bare tile with carbon paper. The outline of the carbon paper tracing is painted in with colorful underglazes. The design can be filled in with several coats of underglazes or with glaze chalk to produce a solid coverage. When the underglazes are dry, two or more coats of clear glaze are applied and allowed to dry thoroughly. When the glazes are completely dry, the tiles are fired to cone 04 for 4 hours. Finished tiles can be glued to a wooden base with construction adhesive and grouted, then the finished composition can be framed.
Making an entire Persian tile wall can be an excellent school-wide project, teaching teamwork as well as how to use liquid glazes and kilns. Students can follow traditional Persian designs, or let their imaginations run wild with their own glaze chalk and glaze pencils designs.
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