Studying the Motifs and Inscriptions in Tekyeh Mashreqi Miḩrāb of Shīrāz

Document Type : Research Paper

Author

Interior Architecture Department, Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism, Shiraz University of Arts

10.22051/jjh.2024.46155.2112

Abstract

The plastered miḩrāb of the Mashreqi vault is a rare example of plaster miḩrāb with nested arches in Fars, which is considered a special work in terms of geometric proportions and aesthetics of motifs. However, sufficient studies have not been done to identify it, and due to the disappearance of the construction inscription, its dating has not been done correctly. The purpose of this research is to study motifs (vegetable and geometric) and investigate the proportional system and aesthetic ideas governing the design of miḩrāb motifs so that a more precise period for the construction of miḩrāb could be suggested. The current research has used the historical method and a descriptive and analytical approach; the field data, documenting the miḩrāb, and the review of historic sources have led to the results. The findings show that this miḩrāb has benefited from a well-known proportional system - which some have referred to as "Iranian golden proportions". The inner archway is of the "three-part arch" type with knots and is full of inscriptions including divine names and plant motifs (flowers and leaves) in a naturalistic and realistic state. An inscription in Kufic calligraphy also shows Surah Al-Ikhlāş. The similarity of the plant motifs of this miḩrāb with some of the motifs of the Ulugbek school in Samarkand and designs from the Shiraz school of painting during the Timurid era strongly suggests that the miḩrāb is a work from the time of Ibrāhim Sultān and was built around the construction of the tombstone of Imad al-Din Mahmud. This work was done either by experts from Samarkand or by artists from Ibrāhim Sultān's workshop because it is different from local traditions and other examples before and after it.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Glory of Art (Jelve-y Honar) Alzahra Scientific Quarterly Journal

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 22 June 2024

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics