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AUTHOR(S):

Omleila Mohammadi, Mohammad Azamzadeh

 

TITLE

The Ιconography of Iranian-Islamic Mosques (Case studies: Sheikh Lotfollah and Kaboud Mosques)

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ABSTRACT

The mosque is more than just somewhere for Muslims to pray. From an artistic perspective, a mosque is a place to express the infinite nature of God and Islamic spirituality. In other words, it is where art and religion meet together and represents the essential manifestations of Islamic art and architecture. Over a period of time, the mosques have been more embellished by using traditional techniques such as tilling works (mosaic, seven colours) and plastering. The evolutionary process in decorating Iranian mosques occurred in the past centres in which the date and location of construction indicate the applied methods and patterns. This paper investigates the iconographies of tilework, which were used in the design of two Iranian mosques: Kaboud and Sheikh Lotfollah. Mosques related to two different locations and periods. The data collected through the observational study and literature review, and the result conducted through an analytical method. The results show that all the motifs and symbols which were depicted on the minarets, domes, under the roof, and altar, are representative of the embodiment of God's power. For example, the patterns such as animal, vegetal and geometric have a hidden Islamic concept inspired by nature. Also, the arabesque motifs and Khatai flower, compared to the other Islamic patterns, play an essential role in creating the Islamic atmosphere.

KEYWORDS

Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, Kaboud Mosque, Sacred Art, Islamic patterns, Tilework, Iconography

 

Cite this paper

Omleila Mohammadi, Mohammad Azamzadeh. (2021) The Ιconography of Iranian-Islamic Mosques (Case studies: Sheikh Lotfollah and Kaboud Mosques). International Journal of Cultural Heritage, 6, 31-39

 

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