1. Islamic Geometric Patterns Intro

ISLAMIC GEOMETRIC PATTERNS

AN INTRODUCTION TO THE ISLAMIC DECORATIVE ARTS

THE THREE MAIN DECORATIVE ARTS

There are three main Islamic decorative arts which were quite often used together and derived from the earlier cultures of the Greeks, Romans and Sassanians: Islamic Geometric Patterns Arabesque Islamic Calligraphy

Islamic Geometric Patterns Islamic art avoids figurative images to avoid becoming objects of worship. The use of abstract geometric patterns developed over the centuries covering a vast spectrum of forms.

Islamic Geometric Patterns Islamic art avoids figurative images to avoid becoming objects of worship. The use of abstract geometric patterns developed over the centuries covering a vast spectrum of forms. Jameh Mosque, Yazd, Iran

Arabesque The Arabesque was based on the curving and branching of plant forms.

Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, Isfahan, Iran

Islamic Calligraphy Islamic calligraphy was used as embellishments as part of a design, as well as being reminders of key quotations or phrases from the Quran

Islamic Calligraphy Islamic calligraphy were used as embellishments as part of a design, as well as being reminders of key quotations or phrases from the Quran

Dome of the Rock, Jerusalem

FORMS OF DECORATIVE ART

Geometric patterns occur in a variety of forms of Islamic art and architecture: Kilim carpets Girih Banna’i Zellige Muqarnas Jali Ceramics

KILIM CARPETS

Kilim carpets are flat tapestry woven carpets for the household or for prayer. Kilim patterns are characteristic of specific regions and geometric motifs are used which are often very symbolic.

Kilim carpets are flat tapestry woven carpets for the household or for prayer. Kilim patterns are characteristic of specific regions and geometric motifs are used which are often very symbolic.

Kilim Carpets

GIRIH

Girih is a Persian Islamic decorative art form used in architecture and handicrafts consisting of geometric lines that form an interlaced strapwork.

They are often star and polygon designs in which 6-, 8-, 10- or 12 pointed stars are separated by polygons and straps.

Girih is a

Persian Girih Shah-i-Zinda Samarkand

BANNA’I

Banna’i is an architectural decorative art in which glazed tiles are alternated with plain bricks to create geometric patterns over the surface of a wall to spell out sacred names or phrases. This was popular in Iran and Central Asia. Square kufic derived from this.

Banna’i

ZELLIGE

Zellige is a mosaic tilework made from individual chiselled geometric tiles set into plaster. It is very characteristically Moroccan and found also in al-Andalus. It is used to ornament walls, ceilings, fountains, floors, pool and tables.

Zellige

MUQARNAS

Muqarnas is a form of ornamental vaulting in Islamic architecture. They developed in the 10th century in north eastern Iran but developed independently across Morocco, Al-Andalus, Iraq and Egypt.

MUQARNAS

JALI

Jali is a perforated stone or a latticed screen usually constructed through the use of calligraphy and geometry. Jali helps in lowering the temperature of a room and can also provide some degree of privacy.

JALI

CERAMICS

Ceramics lend themselves to circular motifs. Islamic ceramics were influenced by Chinese ideas and techniques.

Lustreware (a metallic glaze of iridescence), Iznikware are notable achievements.

Ceramics

PATTERN FORMATION

Many Islamic designs are built on squares and circles, typically repeated, overlapped and interlaced to form intricate and complex patterns.

The circle symbolises unity and diversity in nature and many Islamic patterns are drawn starting with a circle to form squares and regular polygons before creating stars and other more complex shapes.

The blue girih tiled dome contains stars with 5, 7, 9, 12, 11 and 10 points in turn. 11 point stars are rare in Islamic art.

Shah Nematollah Vali Shrine, Mahan, Iran

PATTERN FORMATIONEARLY STAGES

The earliest geometrical forms in Islamic art were isolated geometric shapes such as 8-pointed stars and lozenges containing squares.

Great Mosque of Kairouan, Tunisia, 8th Century

PATTERN FORMATIONMIDDLE STAGE

The middle stage led to the development of 6 – 8 pointed stars and becoming widespread throughout the Islamic world.

6-pointed Stars with Hexagons and 8 pointed Stars, Mamluk Sultan Qalaun, Cairo, Egypt

8-pointed Stars & Crosses, Lustreware, Kashan, Iran

In 1086, 7 and 10 point girih patterns (with heptagons, 5 and 6 pointed stars, triangles and irregular hexagons) appear. 10 point became widespread in the Islamic world except in Al-Andalus.

5- and 10-point stars, Girih tiles, Shah-i-Zinda, Samarkand, Iran

9-, 11- and 13- point girih patterns are used in Isfahan. Like 7-point geometrical patterns they are rarely used outside of Persia and Central Asia.

5-, 7-, 9-, 12-, 11-, 10pointed stars, Shah Nematollah Vali Shrine, Mahan, Iran.

8- and 12-fold rosette patterns appear in Turkey in 1220 and Iraq in 1230 and going widespread throughout the Islamic world.

12-fold rosettes, Wooden minbar, Turkey

PATTERN FORMATIONLATE STAGE

More complex patterns characterise this stage seeing the use of the 16-point pattern found in Egypt and the Alhambra.

16 pointed star from the Alhambra, Spain

TOOLS OF THE TRADE

Equipment for Construction

Equipment for Tracing/Tessellation

EQUIPMENT FOR FINISHING