This blue and white tile is decorated with an arabesque motif. It is similar to the ones found on the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem. The tiles were part of the refurbishment of the mosque carried out by Suleyman the Magnificent between 1545 and 1552. After the restoration, the craftsmen probably carried the motifs and designs with them to other parts of the Ottoman empire.The use of glazed tiles to decorate the walls of buildings has a long tradition in the Islamic world. The cladding of entire buildings with tiles became very popular from the 14th century onwards. A variety of designs are found on tiles, majority of which are floral or geometric. Geometrical designs are often used in Islamic art as they create the impression of unending repetition, which is believed to encourage the contemplation of the infinite nature of God.
