Islamic Architecture in Iran during the 11th -14th century

https://vimeo.com/654788925

The mosque is the center of Islamic culture, society, and a religious place for worship. A

symbolic language of Islamic ideas was represented by many geometric patterns that can be

easily understood by regular people. Domes, arches, and muqarnas vaults, richly decorated with

colorful mosaics, are recognizable structure elements for the Islamic Architecture of Iran during

the 11th-14th century.

Veronika Kalugina

ARC 2031-01: History of Architecture to 1400

December 8th, 2021

 2
Islamic Architecture in Iran during the 11th-14th century. Veronika Kalugina ARC 2031-01. Dec 8, 2021

Introduction

Iranian architecture started the adaptation to the forms of Islamic Religious buildings after the

Muslim conquest of Persia in the 7th century. Calligraphy arts, stucco work, mosaics, and other

architectural elements draw their character from Islam religion itself and from the local cultural

traditions of Iran. During the 11th to 14th century, Iran becomes one of the most important

cultural and artistic centers in the Islamic world and demonstrates great ingenuity and technical

construction skills.

Geometry in Islamic Architecture of Iran

The valuable beauty of geometry, a combination of art and science, became a powerful tool in

Persian architecture. Sacred places expressed the manifestation of Divine order, Harmony, and

beauty. Persian architects used geometry as a sacred tool to interpret and connect to the world

spiritually (Necipoglu, 2). The ornaments used in mosaics, one of the most distinguishing forms

of Islamic art, are generated from a simple geometric form of a circle and square, that are

combined, arranged, duplicated, subtracted to create unique, complex, and abstract patterns with

infinite freedom of imagination. We can see this ornamental geometry pattern was applied to

many mosques built during the 11th-14th century, such as the Jameh Mosque of Yazd mosaic

pattern shown here and Jameh Mosque of Isfahan interior space, that has a structural geometric

ornament that we can see on the walls. Geometry was a great tool for the construction-

dimensions, height, weight of materials and other structural elements were calculated though

math, geometry and physics to create firmness for the building.

 3
Islamic Architecture in Iran during the 11th-14th century. Veronika Kalugina ARC 2031-01. Dec 8, 2021

Structure organization

Iranian mosques were following a four-Iwan site plan, with a large courtyard in the middle, qibla

wall, mihrab, and minaret. On the site plans of Jameh Mosque of Isfahan, Goharshad Mosques of

Mashad, and Jameh Mosque of Yazd we can see similar planning and similar structural elements

as well as a reference to the earlier precedent of the house of the Prophet. The structure elements

that were commonly used in architecture at that time were domes, crowning the space of mihrab

and serving as a symbol of the heavenly sphere above the earth, arches and vaults, that are

repeatedly used throughout the space to symbolize the hierarchy and serve as a portal between

earth and heaven, and we can see all of these three elements present in Jameh Mosque of Isfahan,

Goharshad Mosque of Mashad and Jameh Mosque of Yazd.

Structure

Specific geometric patterns on the architectural elements, their structure and placement, play a

symbolic role in the Islamic architecture of Iran and have a higher connection to the spiritual

belief and laws of Islam (M. Hejazi, 2). Domes, arches, and vaults were used to create a large

feeling of scale and creation of simple and massive forms. From these three examples shown

here, we can see the similarities in mosque structures and decorations. Vaulted halls are highly

decorated with half domes on top of them. Qibla walls and ornately decorated mihrab are fully

covered in colorful mosaics. The entrances of the mosques are crowned with a pair of minarets,

pointing towards Mecca.

With the geographical placement of Iran, building materials such as sand, rock, and clay were

widely available in the region, which made brick the most common building material. During the
 4
Islamic Architecture in Iran during the 11th-14th century. Veronika Kalugina ARC 2031-01. Dec 8, 2021

11th-14th century, a common building method in Iran was the brick construction of walls and

domes with plaster and mosaic layer on top for decoration.

Muqarnas and Mosaics

The idea of unity and timelessness can be seen in Iranian mosaic patterns, along with the symbol

of God’s creation and the higher order, presented in beauty and harmony of the geometrical

ornament. Each of the geometric elements complete a harmonious configuration of

proportionally related elements, which gave a sense of movement to space and was aesthetically

pleasing. Shah Cheragh building has an exceptional mosaic work made of mirror glass. On the

picture shown here, we can see how the detailed work of mosaics plays with light.

Commonly used in Iranian mosque decoration during 11th-14th century muqarnas, were covered

in colorful tile, small pieces that would come together to form a mesmerizing, complex geometry

ornament, symbolizing unity and order. From the examples of Jameh Mosque of Isfahan, Shah

Cheragh, Goharshad Mosque and Jameh Mosque of Yazd we can see that muqarnas as well as

mosaic tile work were widely used as an architectural element during that time frame.

Conclusion

A symbolic language of Islamic ideas was represented by many geometric patterns that can be

easily understood by regular people. Domes, arches, and muqarnas vaults, richly decorated with

colorful mosaics, are recognizable structure elements for the Islamic Architecture of Iran during

the 11th-14th century. Delightful mosques architecture stood the test of time and got worldwide

recognition for its beauty.

 5
Islamic Architecture in Iran during the 11th-14th century. Veronika Kalugina ARC 2031-01. Dec 8, 2021

Bibliography

Asadi, Shaham, Mehrdad Farrokhi, Alireza Jozpiri, and Amir Lotfi. “Ornaments and the

Concept of Beauty in Iranian Architecture (Case Study of the Large Timcheh of Qom Bazaar).”

Current World Environment 10, no. Special-Issue1 (2015): 672–89.

doi:10.12944/CWE.10.Special-Issue1.81.

Blair, Bloom, Ettinghausen, Bloom, Jonathan, and Ettinghausen, Richard. The Art and

Architecture of Islam 1250-1800. New Haven [Conn.]: Yale University Press, 1995.

Gherardini, Francesco, and Francesco Leali. “A Framework for 3D Pattern Analysis

and Reconstruction of Persian Architectural Elements.” Nexus Network Journal 18, no. 1

(2016): 133–67. doi:10.1007/s00004-015-0287-z.

Hossein Pour Hajjar, Ali, and Mohammad Nagizadeh. “An Analysis and Categorization

of Architectural Design’s Definition in Early Centuries of Formation: Iran’s Islamic

Architecture.” Design Principles & Practices 5, no. 6 (2011): 285–302. doi:10.18848/1833-

1874/CGP/v05i06/38205.

Necipoglu, Gulru. Muqarnas Volume 20 / An Annual on the Visual Culture of the Islamic

World. Leiden: BRILL, 2003.

Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, “Jameh Mosque of Isfahan” (accessed December 5,

2021), https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jameh_Mosque_of_Isfahan

Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, “Jameh Mosque of Yazd” (accessed December 5,

2021), https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jameh_Mosque_of_Yazd
 6
Islamic Architecture in Iran during the 11th-14th century. Veronika Kalugina ARC 2031-01. Dec 8, 2021

Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, “Goharshad Mosque” (accessed December 5, 2021),

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goharshad_Mosque

Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, “Shah Cheragh” (accessed December 5, 2021),

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shah_Cheragh
 7
Islamic Architecture in Iran during the 11th-14th century. Veronika Kalugina ARC 2031-01. Dec 8, 2021

Image references:

1. “Jameh Mosque of Yazd”. Commons Wikimedia. September 26, 2015

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tiles_inside_the_Jame_Mosque_of_Yazd_01.JPG

2. “Jameh Mosque of Isfahan”. 123RF. April 18, 2015

https://www.123rf.com/photo_39860864_isfahan-april-18-geometric-pattern-of-the-jameh-

mosque-of-isfahan-iran-on-april-18-2015-this-is-one-.html

3. “Jameh Mosque of Isfahan”. Weebly. November 27, 2015

https://mgoodan.weebly.com/mosques/jameh-mosque-of-isfahan

4. “Jameh Mosque of Isfahan”. Pinterest. November 25, 2016

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/795518721652367609/

5. “Goharshad Mosque of Mashad”. Inciclopedia Iranica. February 17, 2012

https://iranicaonline.org/articles/gowhar-sad-mosque

6. “Goharshad Mosque of Mashad”. Scientific and Academic publishing. 2018

http://article.sapub.org/10.5923.j.arts.20180802.03.html

7. “Jameh Mosque of Yazd”. The Blue Art. June23, 2014

https://theblueart.wordpress.com/2014/06/23/jame-mosque-of-yazd/

8. “Jameh Mosque of Yazd”. Commons Wikimedia. September 6, 2016

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Jameh_Mosque_of_Yazd_Iran.jpg

9. “Jameh Mosque of Isfahan” Unesco. 2012

https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1397/gallery/

10. “Goharshad Mosque of Mashad”. Tasnim News Agency. April 29, 2017

https://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/2017/04/29/1386283/goharshad-mosque-

masterpiece-of-islamic-architecture

11. “Jameh Mosque of Yazd”. The Blue Art. June23, 2014

 8
Islamic Architecture in Iran during the 11th-14th century. Veronika Kalugina ARC 2031-01. Dec 8, 2021

https://theblueart.wordpress.com/2014/06/23/jame-mosque-of-yazd/

12. “Jameh Mosque of Isfahan”. Tasnim News Agency. March 6, 2018

https://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/2018/03/06/1671563/masjed-e-jame-the-grand-

congregational-mosque-of-isfahan-city

13. “Shah Cheragh”. Designing Buildings. December 2, 2020

https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Shah_Cheragh,_Iran

14. “Goharshad Mosque”. Alchetron. April 18, 2018

https://alchetron.com/Goharshad-Mosque

15. “Jameh Mosque of Yazd”. Alamy. April 13, 2017

https://www.alamy.com/masjed-e-jameh-mosque-or-friday-mosque-yazd-iran-

image209731898.html

16. “Jameh Mosque of Isfahan”. Iran in Depth. February 18, 2021

https://iranindepth.com/jameh-mosque-of-isfahan-the-first-iranian-mosque/