These handpainted concrete tiles were inspired by the famous Ardabil carpet from 16th-century Iran. The carpet is the highlight of an exhibition currently underway at the Jameel Gallery of Islamic Art at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London. The exhibition features 400 priceless objects including ceramics, textiles, carpets, metalwork, glass and woodwork.
British artist Eileen Elliott painted the concrete in various patterns swirling through the Ardabil carpet's rich tapestry. I admired these tiles 12 days ago at the V&A Museum Gift Shop, but decided even one was too heavy to carry on Eurostar. Instead, I ordered the pieces online. Now where to put them - any ideas? If not for the prohibitive expense, it would be nice to "carpet" an entire room with these beauties.
My god, they're gorgeous. Too bad about the scratch on the table. :(
Posted by: Marilyn | 12 August 2006 at 14:58
I wish I had enough of them to put under our dining room table-wouldn't have to worry about stains.
Posted by: Linda | 02 August 2006 at 15:30
wow- that is crazy. Neat-o.
Posted by: krista | 02 August 2006 at 14:33
Oh my at first glance I thought it was rugs! You can put them in my garden...no I think the table idea is better!
Posted by: naturegirl | 01 August 2006 at 12:08
They are so rich in color and so intricately, patterned - just beautiful. They seem almost too lovely to walk on!
Posted by: tinker | 01 August 2006 at 07:40
These are just gorgeous. What size are they? It's hard to tell from the photo.
Posted by: deirdre | 01 August 2006 at 05:43
How gorgeous! What is the size? Hmmmmm. What to do, what to do. What a wonderful dilema!
Posted by: Rosa | 01 August 2006 at 03:59
Inset them into a shower wall? They would glow with wetness daily.
Posted by: annieelf | 31 July 2006 at 18:55
they are so utterly
beautiful - perfect
purchase -
i would make a table
out of them:)
Posted by: Sophie | 31 July 2006 at 18:44
Great idea about putting them on the wall, except they're so heavy, I don't think they would stay up without some sort of steel cable suspension. When photographing the tiles, the edge of one scratched my hardwood dining table from Bali via London. I tried using a fine steel wool to blend the scratch, but it looks as though a professional ebeniste will have to step in. Sigh.
Posted by: Paris Parfait | 31 July 2006 at 17:12
What a cool idea. Those truly look just like the real thing, so beautiful.
And easier to maintain!
Hmmm...I would think they would go well where you spend your time relaxing in the evenings, wherever that is...
Posted by: Josephine | 31 July 2006 at 17:06
Just how cool is that??? Wonderful!
Posted by: AscenderRisesAbove | 31 July 2006 at 17:05
It's so unusual to see this pattern reflecting so much light instead of absorbing it in its usual carpet texture. You've such an eye for these finds. How I'd love to have a rummage around your home! (metaphorically of course - I'm nosy but well behaved and know how to respect personal space ;-))The wall mounting idea sounds like a good one!
Posted by: bb | 31 July 2006 at 16:41
What a beautiful find :) How about mounting it on a wall like a tapestry?
Posted by: Tammy | 31 July 2006 at 16:37