Evolution Of Islamic Geometrical Patterns

2y ago
14 Views
2 Downloads
1.16 MB
13 Pages
Last View : 17d ago
Last Download : 2m ago
Upload by : Evelyn Loftin
Transcription

GJAT DECEMBER 2012 VOL 2 ISSUE 2 27ISSN : 2232-0474 E-ISSN : 2232-0482www.gjat.myEvolution of Islamic Geometrical PatternsMohamed Rashid Embi (Corresponding author)Faculty of Built Environment, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 Skudai Johor, MalaysiaTel: 607-5530726 E-mail: rashid@utm.myYahya AbdullahiFaculty of Built Environment, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 Skudai Johor, MalaysiaTel: 6017-7121251 E-mail: yahya ae@yahoo.comAbstractThe six-point geometrical pattern, which hasbeen used in that square, is one of the earliestAlthough Islam gives function and not form, types of IGPs and can be found in Ibn-TulunIslam as a context has affects on forms and mosque in Cairo, which has existed since theornaments in somewhat. The great role of late Ninth Century. However, lack of knowledgegeometry in Islamic architecture due to restriction about the history of IGPs and their evolutionof using natural figures is an example. In this among Iranians Media and authorities, made aresearch, the application of Islamic geometrical confusion of using Zionist sign over one of thepatterns (IGPs), and suitability of their usage main squares of the capital, which is supposedover architectural elements in terms of time- to be a reminder of the Islamic revolution inscale accuracy and architectural-style matching Iran. This incident ended up by demolishingis studied. A detailed survey of hundred well- the square. Figure 1 shows the response ofsurviving buildings throughout the Muslim the municipal authorities to media criticism.world of architecture has been conducted forthis purpose and as a result, not only originof patterns identified, but also radical artisticmovements throughout the history of Islamicgeometric ornaments revealed. Finally, thisstudy sketches the evolution of IGPs throughhistory, while regional diversities are also takeninto account.Keywords: Islamic; Decorative; Geometrical;Patterns; Art; Architectural decorationIntroductionFor centuries, Islamic geometrical patterns(IGPs) are used as decorative elements overwalls, ceilings, grilles, doors and openings,dome, minarets, to name a few. However,having no guideline and code for these adorableornaments, has often caused inappropriate use,in terms of time-scale accuracy, architecturalstyle matching and even identity. An exampleof misunderstanding of historical roots andorigins of IGPs is the decorative pattern ofEnghelab (Revolution) Square in Tehran, Iran.Figure 1: Demolishing Enghelab Square in TehranIn terms of timescale accuracy, architecturalstyle and property, Great Mosque of Tehran isan interesting example. Its design is inspired bythe distinctive Seljuk architecture (1037-1194CE). However, patterns designed for decoratingexterior surfaces of its main courtyard is a typeten-point geometrical pattern, which were notcommon during Seljuks and was not in favor ofSeljuk architects and artisans. The research aimsto investigate IGPs historically and draw a time-This journal is a member of and subscribes to the principles of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE)

GJAT DECEMBER 2012 VOL 2 ISSUE 2 28ISSN : 2232-0474 E-ISSN : 2232-0482www.gjat.mychart of evolution of IGPs to answer questionsregarding the suitability and appropriate use ofthese patterns as buildings decorative elementsin terms of both “time-scale accuracy” and“architectural-style properties and order”.Period of Geometry Infiltration intoIslamic Architecture“For without symmetry and proportion notemple can have a regular plan,” ancientRoman architect, Marcus Vitruvius Pollio (80BC to 15 BC) wrote in his famous treatiseDe Architectura. “Twenty years were spentin erecting the pyramid itself: of this, whichis square, each face is eight plethora, andthe height is the same.” – father of History,Heroditus (484 BC-425 BC). With thesementioned examples, it can be stated that theintegration of geometry and architecture hasbeen existed and understood long before thebirth of Islam. Nevertheless, we cannot dismissthe importance of geometry through the historyof Islamic architecture. Hence, the questionis when and how did geometry infiltrate intothe Islamic architecture. The expansion anddevelopment of geometry through Islamic artand architecture can be related to the significantgrowth of the scientific and technologicalinnovations of Eighth and Ninth centuriesin the Middle East, Iran and Central Asia bytranslations of ancient texts from languagessuch as Greek and Sanskrit into Arabic (Turner,1997).is not surprising to see a gap of nearly threecenturies from the rise of Islam in the earlySeventh Century (Berkey, 2003) to late NinthCentury. Hence, the earliest example ofdecorative geometrical patterns can be tracedover surviving buildings of the Muslim world(Table 1).By detailing the survey of surviving monuments,evolution of IGPs through history of Islamicarchitecture has been studied. Some minordynasties, in terms of their impact, such asBuyid, Ayubids, Ilkhanid and Timurid havebeen neglected and would be studied in detailin other research. Patterns are evoked andtheir tracks have been traced to find earliestsurviving examples. Concluding time-chart(Table 1) sketches the evolution of Islamicgeometrical patterns from early stages to late18th Century. In this context, for buildinginspired from a particular era, this study has theanswer of suitable pattern in terms of relevantarchitectural-style and time-scale accuracy.Table 1 : Time chart of evolution of IGPs through the historyBy the 10 th century, original Muslimcontributions to the sciences became significant;in this context, important developments in thefield of geometry resulted from the work of,among others, Umar-al-Khayyam, Abu’l Wafaal-Buzjani, Abu Mansur al-Khwarizmi and Ibnal-Haytham (Özdural, 1995; Mohamed, 2000).It is believed that the earliest written documentson geometry through the Islamic history ofscience, is Khwarizmi’s mathematical book;The Compendious Book on Calculation byCompletion and Balancing, written in earlyNinth Century (Mohamed, 2000). Hence, itThis journal is a member of and subscribes to the principles of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE)

GJAT DECEMBER 2012 VOL 2 ISSUE 2 29ISSN : 2232-0474 E-ISSN : 2232-0482www.gjat.myTypes of IGPsUmayyad ArchitectureDefinitions and classifications of IGPs are notin the scope of this research. However, it isrequired to provide sketchy description aboutthe types of Islamic architectural patterns. Mostof IGPs are based on constructive polygonssuch as hexagon and octagon. By connectingvertexes of these shapes, star-polygons willappear which are considered as fundamentalelement of Islamic geometrical patterns. Itis from this fact, which the very first level ofIGPs’ classification starts (El-Said, 1993; Broug,2008). For instance, all patterns in which theirmain elements are from hexagon or hexagonstar come under 6-point geometrical patternsand the star is called as 6-point star (Figure 2).Accordingly, patterns are further called as 8,10, 12, 14, 16 -point geometrical patterns.As can be seen in Figure 2, in certain level,the sides of two adjacent rays of star becomeparallel which will form a deformed hexagon.Umayyad Caliphs (660 to 750 CE) and theirdynasty established the first Muslim Arabmonarchy and were based in a region wherenowadays is called Syria. They start to importand adopt the construction techniques formSassanians and Byzantine empires wherethey have already conquered (Fletcher andCruickshank, 1996; Petersen, 1996). In termsof building and architecture, the focus ofUmayyads was on mosques and palaces. By theend of the Seventh and early Eighth Centuries,vegetal and floral patterns derived from Sassanidand byzantine architecture was common in theIslamic world. A great surviving building ofthis period is Dome of Rock (Figure 3) whichbegan construction in 688-691 CE. The externalsurfaces and facades are covered by glitteringmosaics which, if it followed the survivinginternal surfaces, were from the Hellenisticcomposition of vegetal motifs and swirlingpatterns with plenty of gold tesserae admixturesamong the predominant tiles of green colour(Grube, 1995 and Michell). Throughout the 16thCentury and under Ottoman rulers, the outermosaics repaired and replaced by new façadeof tile and marble with geometrical design fromDamascus.Figure 2: First level of IGPs classificationThese shapes represent rosette leaves; hence,the patterns containing such elements will comeunder “n-ford rosette”, such as eight or 10fold rosette. In the following pages whenevera pattern is called “n-point geometrical pattern”it means that it falls under relevant type ofpolygon, which it is constructed from. It isinteresting to say that as a result of followingstudy, we can observe that the evolution ofIslamic geometrical patterns follow thedifficulty-path of construction of the abovementioned polygons from the easiest (in otherwords hexagon) to more complicated types ofpolygons and stars.Figure 3: Dome of Rock, original ornaments of interior with floralmotifs (Left) - New façade with geometrical design, date back to 16thcentury (Center) - Facades mosaics of Great mosque of Damascus(Right)By 705 CE, grate parts of Damascus Christiantemple, converted to the Great Mosque ofDamascus (Flood, 2001). The original decorativepatterns are floral resembling the rich gardensand natural landscape of Damascus. The floorfinishing of the Sahn repaired and renewednumbers of times, therefore its geometricalThis journal is a member of and subscribes to the principles of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE)

GJAT DECEMBER 2012 VOL 2 ISSUE 2 30ISSN : 2232-0474 E-ISSN : 2232-0482www.gjat.mydesigns are later additions and not original.Another well-surviving building of Umayyadperiod is Qasr-al-Mshatta (743-744), in Jordan.The surviving decorative carved stoneworkof its façade, represents a significant step toreal art and architecture of Islam. The carvedpatterns are full of woven vegetal designs alongwith animal and human figures (Fletcher andCruickshank, 1996; Baer, 1999).Survey Umayyad surviving buildings, showsthat vegetal ornaments remained commonfeatures of their architecture. Finishing surfacesand facades are mostly covered with carvedmolded stucco, mosaic and wall painting, withfigural and floral motifs. However, it seems thatit was by end of the Umayyad era, that the useof figural patterns in mosques becomes limited.Abbasids ArchitectureFigure 4: The Great Mosque of Kairouan in TunisiaDecorative patterns of interior arcades (left)and finishing surface of the original Mihrab(Right), show the individual geometric shapesof the mosque. The Mosque of Ibn Tulun (876-9CE) was built by the order of Ahmad Ibn Tulun,the Abbasid governor of Egypt. In general, thelayout and decorations follows the SamarraIraqi style where Ahmad Ibn-Tulun camefrom (Antoniou, 1998; D’Avennes, 2008 andScanlon). The simple geometrical patterns usedin this mosque are among earliest examples ofgeometrical motifs of Muslim decorative arts.Abbasid caliphs (750 to 1258 CE) werewealthier than their descendent and they startto trade over much wider regions from east ofPersia to west coast of Africa. These activetrades imposed Muslims to wide range oftraditions and cultures where Persian culturebecame more predominant in their era and madeAbbasid a “Perso-Arab” dynasty (Fletcher andCruickshank, 1996; Petersen, 1996). By first twocenturies of Abbasid, the new concept of Islamicart and architecture started to shape and by end Figure 5 : Ibn-Tulun Mosque in Egyptof their era, the Islamic art and architecture werealmost introduced and recognized by architects Figure 5 illustrates the early example of eightand artisans.pin star geometrical pattern (first two fromleft) and six point geometry (third and fourth).The Great Mosque of Kairouan (Tunisia) Abbasid Palace of Baghdad (1179-1230 CE)originally constructed in 670 CE, and rebuilt and The Madrasa of Mustansiriyeh (1233 CE)in 836 onward is a great example of Abbasid- have almost the same plan and structure (Grube,Aghlabid buildings. Ornaments of this building 1995). With muqarnas decoration and detailedare mainly designed with vegetal and floral geometrical patterns of carved brickworkmotifs; however, some elementary geometrical and terracotta, they are great examples ofshapes can be noticed. These geometric architectural tradition and techniques of lateornaments are designed more as individuals and Abbasid and early Seljuk’s era. Here we canunit shapes rather than a woven and interlaced find one of the earliest examples of additionalgeometrical pattern (Figure 4). It shows the rosette leaves to star elements of eight andearliest stage of application of geometrical 12-point geometrical patterns (Figure 6).ornaments in Islamic architecture.This journal is a member of and subscribes to the principles of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE)

GJAT DECEMBER 2012 VOL 2 ISSUE 2 31ISSN : 2232-0474 E-ISSN : 2232-0482www.gjat.myheights and diameter of 4 m, built during 106793 in Qazvin province of Iran, are examples ofearly Seljuk architecture. Towers are octagonalin plan with brick walls and double layer domes.Facades are elaborated with very fine decorativepanels while each panel has different patternincluding stars and abstract geometrical motifs.Figure 6 : Abbasid palace in Baghdad, original geometricdecorations before restorationArchitectural decoration and ornaments suchas wall painting, carved wood, stone, stucco,terracotta and brick works, were popularduring the Abbasid era. By the late 8th andearly 9th Century, geometrical shapes, in theform of individual and sporadic elements, wereintroduced in surface decoration. However, itwas not until late Ninth Century that wovengeometrical shapes in the form of geometricalpatterns adopted by artisans and becomepredominant in Islamic empire.Seljuk Architecture (First Artistic Movement)Seljuks were Turko-persian Dynasty (1038 to1194 CE) which ruled much of Islamic worldfrom Anatoly to central Asia to south coast ofIran. The first buildings constructed by Seljukswere in Iran, and in terms of architecture,they followed the construction techniques ofIranian architects and artisans (Hillenbrand,1999; Clévenot, 2000). During the Seljuks,construction of Madrasas and tombs becomevery popular in Islamic world and Iwan becomethe principal element of structures for bothreligious and secular buildings (Ettinghausen,et al., 2001). Seljuks took great steps intransformation of ornaments and decorativepatterns from floral and figural to geometrical,and their architecture is more characterizedby geometrical pattern. Seljuk architects andartisans, designed more sophisticated interlacegeometrical patterns and the earliest example ofabstract 6 and 8-point geometrical patterns canbe seen throughout this era in Table 1 before.Almost concurrent to Abbasid palace inBaghdad, signs of additional rosette leaves tostar patterns can be found over Mihrab’s crownof Madrasa al-Firdaws (1235- 6 CE) at Aleppo,Syria. The marble Mihrab is decorated withgeometrical patterns, which has remarkabledetailed eight-point rosette pattern.Figure 7 : Tower of Kharaqan in Qazvin, 1093, 12-point, abstract 6and 8-point geometrical patternsFriday Mosque of Isfahan has much of itsdevelopment through the Seljuk era. The twomain domes are constructed in 1086 and 1089and it was in the early 12th Century that the planof mosque changed to four-Iwan Style. It is aperfect example of Seljuk detailed decorativepatterns, made of brickworks (Grube, 1995).Figure 8 shows that through late 11th andearly 12th Centuries, five and eighth-point starconcepts were not only popular in decorativeelements, but also the techniques of integratingthese decorative concepts with structuralelements had already been invented. Apartfrom common six and eight-point geometricalpatterns of Seljuk era, amazing patterns can befound over the walls of southern domed-area ofFriday mosque of Isfahan, which dates back to1086 CE. One is the rarest example of patterncontaining heptagon and another might be oneof the earliest examples of 10-point geometricalpatterns.Tomb Towers of Kharaqan (Figure 7) with 15 mThis journal is a member of and subscribes to the principles of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE)

GJAT DECEMBER 2012 VOL 2 ISSUE 2 32ISSN : 2232-0474 E-ISSN : 2232-0482www.gjat.mywas built during the Ottoman restoration in18th Century (Behrens, 1992; Rabbat, 1996).Meanwhile, the Al-Juyushi Mosque (1085CE) in Cairo is a relatively small mosque,with domed prayer hall. The most significantsurviving element of this building is lavishFigure 8 : Great Mosque of Isfahan in Iran, northeast dome and itsinterior design (Left and Center) - roof of praying hall dates backcarved stucco of its Mihrab (Figure 10) withto twelfth century (Right)floral and geometrical patterns (Behrens, 1992).During the Seljuks, geometrical patterns Abstract six-point geometrical patterns overdeveloped significantly. Surveying decorative spandrel of Mihrab are similar to Seljuk style.patterns of their era from early stages to Interior apex of dome is also designed withFriday mosque of Isfahan, reveals an artistic six-point star with Arabic inscriptions.movement, which resulted in a radical change inconventional geometric patterns (for example, On the other hands, the Al-Aqmar Mosqueintroducing very complex and sophisticated (1125 CE) in Cairo is a great example of10-point geometrical patterns as well as mature Fatimid’s architecture, with keel-arches,abstract 6 and 8-point geometrical patterns). fluted domes, rich carved façade, MuqarnasThis movement continued to Barsian Friday pendentives and the layout which covers theMosque (1098) to early 13th century where the difference of Qibla and main street directionsmost unique and unusual 7, 9, 11 and 13-point (Yeomans, 2006). The façade is elaborated with(patterns made of non-constructible polygons) calligraphic, vegetal and geometric decorations,has been applied (Figure 9).however motifs are replication of previouslyintroduced designs.Figure 9 : Friday Mosque of Barsian in Iran, Mihrab is decorated bythe rarest Islamic geometrical patternsFatimid’s ArchitectureFatimid Caliphs (909 - 1171 CE) and theirdynasty lived in North Africa. It was duringCaliph al-Muizz, that Egypt become undercontrol of Fatimids in 969 CE (Behrens, 1992;Petersen, 1996). Al-Azhar Mosque (970-2 CEand later) was the first mosque and Madrasabuilt by Fatimids in Cairo. Still parts of originalstucco panels (with vegetal motifs) and windowscreens (with geometric designs) are surviving.However, stuccoworks above the windows andover the walls (with abstract 6-point geometricaldesign), have been added during Caliph alHafiz (1129-49). There is another Mihrab withsignificant geometrical decorations, whichAnother remarkable Fatimid building is Mosqueof Al-Salih-Tala’i (1160 CE). In terms ofstructure and decorative techniques, it is so closeto Al-Aqmar mosque (Spurr and Riedlmayer,1994). Same as Al-Aqmar mosque, six andeight-point star geometrical shapes can be foundin form of projected sculptural decoration overthe walls. However, a perfect proportioned12-point geometrical pattern is carved over theMinbar, which was added during Mamluks in1300 CE. It is considered as the second Minbarin Cairo. The carved wooden door is also datedback to 1303, which is decorated with 8 and12-fold geometrical rosette pattern.Early Fatimid Decorative pattern were morein the form of isolated projected elements orsculpture, rather than being an entire surfacecovering pattern. Although they could be foundin the form of interlaced geometric pattern inlimited areas such as window screens, they weremore in the form of focal points in decorationsand not as woven geometrical pattern.This journal is a member of and subscribes to the principles of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE)

GJAT DECEMBER 2012 VOL 2 ISSUE 2 33ISSN : 223

Evolution of Islamic Geometrical Patterns Mohamed Rashid Embi (Corresponding author) . geometry in Islamic architecture due to restriction of using natural figures is an example. In this . common during Seljuks and was not in favor of Seljuk architects and artisans. The research aims

Related Documents:

The Evolution of Islamic Banking System in Muslim countries: Before describing the evolution of the Islamic banking it is important to understand what Islamic banking is and what are its principles or features. 1.1) What is Islamic Banking? Islamic Banking is banking or financing activity that is based on Shariah (Islamic Law) and all

Islamic Grave Voodoo 57 Allah Will Grow Humans from their Graves 57 Islamic Interrogation in Graves 58 Islamic Torment in Graves 59 Islamic Rewards in Graves 61 CHAPTER 8 63 Islamic Medicine Voodoo 63 Islamic Cauterizing and Cupping 63 The Qur'an and Honey are Cures for All Illness 65

Director of the Center for Islamic Economics and Finance, College of Islamic Studies, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar Keywords Islamic Finance Community-Based Devel-opment Islamic Moral Economy Blended Finance Received: 15December2016 Accepted: 05 February 2017 Abstract. Contemporary Islamic Finance is seen by many as

LLinear Patterns: Representing Linear Functionsinear Patterns: Representing Linear Functions 1. What patterns do you see in this train? Describe as What patterns do you see in this train? Describe as mmany patterns as you can find.any patterns as you can find. 1. Use these patterns to create the next two figures in Use these patterns to .

Essentially, my investigation looks at the development and continuing evolution of Islamic law through lens of a particular legal practice: issuance of fatwas. By examining fatwas in different periods of Islamic history from the beginning until today, I chart the transformations that take place in Islamic legal tradition(s) as a result of the

1. Transport messages Channel Patterns 3. Route the message to Routing Patterns 2. Design messages Message Patterns the proper destination 4. Transform the message Transformation Patterns to the required format 5. Produce and consume Endpoint Patterns Application messages 6. Manage and Test the St Management Patterns System

Health and Illness from an Islamic Perspective MAJED A. ASHY ABSTRACT. The Islamic understanding of the human self, its purpose and functions has a great effect on Muslims' understanding of themselves and on Islamic culture. Islamic psychology is a

tourism), with emphasis on the space of coastal zone used in an organized way (Agarwal and Shaw, 2007), it will be the latter one that shall constitute the focus of the present paper. Although in Nordic Countries the climatic conditions do not help the development of coastal areas and 3S tourism in the same way as they do in other more exotic destinations, still Zselling sun, sand and sea .