Arab and Islamic Architecture: Domes, Arches and Islimi Design

Table Of Content

• Girih tilings and woodwork
• What are common Islamic patterns?
• Top 5 Regional styles of Arabesque
• How did Arabesque move from Egypt to the rest of the Islamic world?
• The Partal Palace
• US universities face mounting pressure to silence pro-Palestinian voices
• Top 5 elements of Arabesque
• Islamic geometric patterns

These include kilim carpets, Persian girih and Moroccan zellij tilework, muqarnas decorative vaulting, jali pierced stone screens, ceramics, leather, stained glass, woodwork, and metalwork. With the start of the Abbasid era, people were interested in science and translation which led to an increase in knowledge of geometric shapes, and thus the arabesque artists had a great opportunity to develop this art and to make it grow and improve. Drawing and creating motifs and geometric designs in a precise way, by using arabesque or mixing arabesque and Khatai, was very common in Islamic art. Artists used if mainly in architectural ornamentation including Muqarnas. Besides geometric patterns, the art of calligraphy is used extensively in the Arab and Islamic tradition.

Girih tilings and woodwork

The development of one of the most common Islimi styles; Rumi (a Turkish and Persian term) was developed by the Seljuks from Central Asian Turk cave paintings of animals and birds. As the Seljuks moved into Anatolia in the 10th century and adopted Islam they stylized the wings and beaks and developed the Rumi motif. In the book arts, Islimi is used to illuminate calligraphic headings and within shamsahs (little suns) which are palmettes that divide verses of text. Most famously it is interwoven with geometric patterns to create beautiful frontispieces (the first page of the Quran). Arabesque was not limited to furniture in Islamic styles of various shapes but also related to the architectural formations of mosques and palaces.

What are common Islamic patterns?

Astrid Krogh. Arabesque - Meer

Astrid Krogh. Arabesque.

Posted: Tue, 06 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Vegetal patterns employed alone or in combination with the other major types of ornament—calligraphy, geometric pattern, and figural representation—adorn a vast number of buildings, manuscripts, objects, and textiles produced throughout the Islamic world. Kapali forms are linear structural lines, which are usually based on an underlining geometric grid ensuring they reflect or tessellate correctly. The shapes are versatile and have architectural properties; the crown shape is used in domes and gateways across the Islamic world. Within a design it reflects itself and motifs helping patterns slot together. Islimi designs gradually emerged as the floral, vegetative style of Islamic art in various forms around the world. As Islam spread and nations adopted the faith, they stylized their decorative arts to fit the principles of Islam.

Top 5 Regional styles of Arabesque

Theview of the porch and, as well as its pillows and rug are adorned with fourtypes of arabesque. The Arabesque pattern style has a complex structure, which usually consists of a single design, or tile, (not necessarily square) which is reflected and rotated and seamlessly repeated to cover a surface. It is often used in interior design to add a touch of elegance and sophistication to a room. To be sure, gardens and water fountains, canals, and pools are a recurring theme in construction across the Muslim dominion. Water is both practical and beautiful in architecture and in this respect the Alhambra and Generalife are no exception.

How did Arabesque move from Egypt to the rest of the Islamic world?

We’re calling it The Aesthete, a nod to my personal blog, An Aesthete’s Lament, which I maintained from 2008 until recently. As I did in that space, I will cover a broad range of topics and personalities from the worlds of interior decoration, architecture, art, and fashion—exploring the nooks and crannies of design history with an idiosyncratic eye. It will be about roads less traveled and, most of all, about inspiration.

Islimi designs are also found embellishing domestic objects such as utensils, cloths and carpets. There are a variety of different styles of Islimi within Islamic art but they all follow the same archetypal principles. These principles apply to biomorphic decorative arts from many diverse cultures around the world, such as the Celtic, Norse and Aboriginal traditions. This unique art started at the beginning of the Fatimid state era in Egypt. The repeated wars by the young state required the use of huge amounts of wood to make weapons and military equipment.

aljoud lootah's 'double square' draws on arabesque motifs - Designboom

aljoud lootah's 'double square' draws on arabesque motifs.

Posted: Fri, 18 Mar 2016 07:00:00 GMT [source]

In the early ages of the Arabesque style, common motifs were stylized Acanthus leaves, palmettes and vines. Some versions of Arabesque patterns are completely abstract, with lines and geometric shapes that only reminds of real objects from nature. In later versions the motifs were still stylized bud more realistically depicted, so that the flowers and plants could be identified.

Top 5 elements of Arabesque

El Mexuar is an audience chamber near the Torre de Comares at the northern edge of the complex. It was built by Ismail I (1314–1325) as a throne room, but became a reception and meeting hall when the palaces were expanded in the 1330s. The room has complex geometric tile dadoes (lower wall panels distinct from the area above) and carved stucco panels that give it a formality suitable for receiving dignitaries. There are multiple ways in which the eternal nature of Allah is seen in Islamic patterns. Intricate geometric patterns in Islamic art are often repeated endlessly, giving the sense that each pattern element has a unique function. Islimi is a key architectural feature, examples can be found in ornate ceramic, stone, plaster and wood carved friezes.

Abdul Aziz Khan School,  Bukhara,17th century, has been plastered and painted with an elegant arabesque. This arabesque is divided into three parts with an arch and a rectangular frame. A pottery cup, derived from the Silk Hill of Kashan related to the 4th millennium BC, is decorated with foliate and geometrical themes. Its foliate ornament is a thin stem with five pairs of leaves on each side and the ends these leaves become rings. Trabeate was a type of architecture in which a horizontal beam was placed between two vertical columns to create roofs, doorways, and windows.

The four most common geometric shapes in Islamic geometric patterns are the circle, square, star, and multi-sided polygon. The eight-pointed star is a staple of Islamic design, and its origins can be traced back to squares or triangles embossed within a circle. It is a very ancient form of artistic decoration method that is based on rhythmic linear patterns; this art style is used to decorate the surface of the huge edifice, building or temple, etc. Arabesque is a very ancient form of artistic decoration method that is based on rhythmic linear patterns; this art style is used to decorate the surface of the huge edifice, building or temple, etc.

It was also used to decorate some utensils, but the most common displays of the use of it appeared in the furniture industry. The margin of the box, which is kept in the Cluny museum, is adorned with a bifurcated arabesque. They intersect inside circles, where the loops are decorated with objects such as flowers, stars and even the human head. Firstly the parts of the stem design are thicker, and some other parts are thinner,  like stems in nature. Secondly, the main flower of the Khatai design must be where that captures the viewer’s attention. Furthermore, Leaves, flowers, and buds should also be commensurate with the central flower.