Studying Lime Reliefs in Famous Public Bathrooms Costruced in Safavid, Zandieh and Qajar Dynasties

Abstract Being thorough and comprehensive study on stucco reliefs carved in Safavid, Zandieh and Qajar periods, the present study focuses on appreciation of this art and its development in these three dynasties as well as its effects and influences. The following questions have been addressed in this study: - In which parts of public bathrooms were stucco reliefs mostly applied? - Which patterns or relief have been the patterns of choice in each dynasty? - What are similarities, differences and diversity of the patterns in each period? The subjects presented in this research are the direct result of library references, analyses and observations which were studied, performed and/or made by its authors. To do so, based on the type of reliefs and the points in which they had been carved, the ones extant in well-known public bathrooms of each dynasty constructed throughout the country were studied, compared and analyzed. The results of this study reveal that majority of such reliefs have been carved in Sarbineh (ancient bathroom vaults/alcoves used for changing clothes) and secondarily in hothouse. Based on their popularity such reliefs are those of plants, geometrical figures, animals, birds, humans and mythical figures. To illustrate, most patterns produced in Safavid dynasty are those of plants and geometrical figures whereas in the following periods, being inspired by Safavids, there is a tendency towards using animal and human figures. And, in Qajar period, literal and mythical reliefs can be seen.