Islamic Art (continued)

 

Part II: Designs and Decorations

Decoration is a major unifying factor in Islamic architecture and design. For thirteen centuries, writes Dalu Jones in Architecture of the Islamic World, decoration has linked buildings and objects from all over the Islamic world -- from Spain to China to Indonesia.

Islamic art uses patterns made of geometric designs. Complex geometric designs create the impression of unending repetition, which is believed by some to represent the infinite (unending in time and space) nature of God. In religious buildings and palaces, as well as in common objects like bowls and rugs, the art of Arabic geometric designs is very common.
 
 

A. The star was the most common Islamic design. In Islamic design, the star is a regular geometric shape that symbolizes equal radiation in all directions from a central point. All regular stars -- whether they have 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, or 16 points -- are created by a division of a circle into equal parts.

To see a diagram showing how this star is made, see this Islamic Design site.
 
Here is an example of a six-pointed star found in a mosque in Lahore, Pakistan: (Courtesy, UCB Architectural Library, from Media for the Arts, Newport, RI)
Eight pointed stars can also be made from two squares turned at different angles:
. . .

Here are some colorful tiles that show the geometrical designs that come from two squares - the eight-pointed star.

Tiles from Andalusia, Muslim Spain (Artopedia.Com)

 

Tiles from the Alhambra Palace, Grenada, Andalusia (Muslim Spain).

 

Here are five-pointed stars that repeat in patterns based on a square.

Here are some decorations based on the twelve-pointed star.

Here are some great websites that show the geometry of Arabic designs:

 

B. Tessellations: When designs are repeated and filled in (like patterns of bricks and many tiles) and are interlocking, like pieces of a puzzle.

C. Designs using vines, leaves, and flowers or lines (Arabesque)

Another common Islamic-type design is intricate (fancy, detailed) patterns with vines, leaves, or flowers, and sometimes with just lines. This type of decoration is called "arabesque", meaning "Arab-style".

Notice the use of leaf, flower, and vine patterns below (along with calligraphy). This designed is carved in the marble walls of the Alhambra Palace in Grenada, Spain.

 

 
 
 
Here is another example of calligraphy combined with arabesque patterns.
 
This is a part of the embroidered (designed with needle and thread on cloth) covering of the Kaaba in Mecca. The inner part is calligraphy (from the Qur'an) while the outer design is "arabesque" in its use of leaves and vines.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Try this:

This is from a wall of the Friday Mosque in Herat, Afghanistan, See if you can recognize some of the design features:

Tiles of the Great Mosque, Herat, Afghanistan.

 
Look for an example of six-pointed stars which are tessellated (repeated, interlocking, and filled in with other shapes which are hexagons).

Look for an example of tessellation (repeated and interlocking designs. Here the "spaces" are filled in with the same shapes).

Look for an example of arabesque design (with flowers, vines, leaves, or lines).

Look for an example of calligraphy.

 

 
 

 

Many of the patterns used in Islamic art look similar, even though they decorate different objects. Islamic artists did not seek to express themselves, but rather, to create beautiful objects for everyone to enjoy. Seldom are two designs exactly alike. The artist sees himself as a humble servant of the community, using his skills and imagination to express amazement at the eternal power of Allah.

 

 

Go to Page One: Calligraphy

You are here at Page Two: Design

Go to Page Three: Religious Paintings

Go to Page Four: Secular Paintings

Go to Page Five: Metalwork and Carpets

Go to Page Six: Pottery & Ceramics & Tiles

Go to the Student Activities Page on Art

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