Historical Looting of Iranian Tile Art from Shrines and Mosques in the 19th Century

During the 19th century, extensive looting of decorative tiles occurred at religious sites in Iran, particularly from shrines and mosques in cities like Natanz, Varamin, Qom, and Kashan. The tiles, known for their lustre-painted technique developed by Persian potters in the medieval period, were systematically removed and transported to Europe and the United States. Key figures involved included French diplomat Comte Julien de Rochechouart and British Major-General Sir Rupert Murdoch Smith, who coordinated shipments to institutions such as the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Many tiles now reside in museums worldwide, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the Art Institute of Chicago, while original sites like the Imamzadeh Abd al-Samad shrine in Natanz remain stripped of their ornamentation. The looting occurred in two main phases between the 1860s and 1900s, despite a Qajar-era decree in 1896 aimed at protecting religious buildings.