Tile with Impressed Figures of Emaciated Ascetics and Couples Behind Balconies

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The image shows a tan-colored tile with raised figures and designs. The top section features a row of seven human heads in profile facing right, behind a railing with square openings. The seven heads are evenly spaced and appear to have short hair. The railing has a repeating pattern of squares. The bottom section contains two rectangular panels side by side. The left panel shows a figure sitting with knees bent and arms around legs, appearing emaciated with prominent ribs and a large head. The right panel shows another emaciated figure similarly posed. A symbol resembling an "X" with curved extensions at the top and bottom is between the panels. The tile has a rough texture and appears old. The background behind the tile is solid black.