Handicrafts of Great Khorasan

Handicrafts of Great Khorasan

Examination of the Theme and Position of Inscriptions in the Decorations of Timurid Schools in Mashhad (Case Study: Dodar and Parizad Schools)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Mahboubeh Zamani 1
Saeed Ghasemi 2
1 Invited faculty member, Khorasan Institute of Higher Education, Mashhad
2 PhD student, Architecture, Art and Architecture Department, Mashhad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Mashhad, Iran (Corresponding author)
10.22034/hgj.2024.208918
Abstract
The Timurid era is one of the most important and influential periods in the history of Iranian architecture. During this period, architecture and its related decorations evolved and set the pattern for later periods. Schools held an important position in this era, as it can be said that it was the golden age of Iranian schools. The Timurid schools in Khorasan include a limited number of schools, with two valuable schools of this era, Dodar and Parizad, located near the holy shrine of Imam Reza. Inscriptions have always been a decorative feature used in Islamic Iranian architecture, with valuable concepts hidden in their content. In addition to the content of the inscriptions, their relationship with their placement is also noteworthy. The aim of this research is to analyze the content used in the inscriptions of Timurid schools in Mashhad, as well as their placement. Field studies were conducted for documentation and reading of the inscriptions in the buildings, and a descriptive-analytical method was used for introducing, categorizing, and finding relationships among them. The results indicate that Dodar School has 33 inscriptions and Parizad School has 8 inscriptions in their decorations, with Quranic inscriptions having the largest share. Moreover, Thuluth script was the most used in calligraphy, and more use of mosaic tiles was observed. The placement of inscriptions is mainly in the entrances, iwans, and domes of the schools, with each placement showcasing a specific theme.
Keywords
Inscription
Timurid schools
Mashhad
Dodar School
Parizad School
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Handicrafts of Great Khorasan
Volume 2, Issue 5 - Serial Number 5
Winter 2024
Pages 87-118

  • Receive Date 24 November 2023
  • Revise Date 13 January 2024
  • Accept Date 07 February 2024