The Position of Abstraction in the Architectural Decorations of the Timurid Period

Rahimzadeh, Gholamhossein; Tabeie, Mohammadreza

doi:10.22034/hgj.2025.495459.1031

The Position of Abstraction in the Architectural Decorations of the Timurid Period

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Gholamhossein Rahimzadeh ¹

Mohammadreza Tabeie ²

¹ Assistant Professor at Farhangian University, Department of Art, Tehran, Iran

² PhD Candidate, Department of Art, Shahid University, Tehran, Iran

10.22034/hgj.2025.495459.1031

Abstract

A significant part of Islamic-Iranian architecture is dedicated to the decorations of buildings aimed at providing them with identity.These forms can be observed in stone carvings, plasterwork, ornamental frameworks, Muqarnas, tile work, bricklaying, and more. These motifs in their gradual evolution and development, exhibit specific manifestations of philosophical, mystical, and artistic concepts in the execution of ornaments. They have gradually transitioned from human and animal motifs to plant motifs (Arabesque and Khata'i), geometric designs, and calligraphy. According to scholars and orientalists, these motifs and their application in Islamic art possess unique and conscious characteristics and functions that have reached a specific expression in abstract art based on a monotheistic perspective. This research examines the place of abstract motifs and the quality of abstract expression in the ornamental art of the Islamic Timurid period, posing the fundamental question: “What is the position of abstraction in the architectural decorations of the Timurid era?” It seems that the tradition of tile decoration with Khata'i-Arabesque motifs and geometric Girih in the exterior coverings of buildings, which reached its peak during the Timurid era, was based on this principle. Explaining abstract art, expression, understanding, and proper education in academic and scientific centers is the necessity of this research, as some still conflate these two concepts of abstraction in the West and Islamic art.

Keywords

Timurid architecture

Architectural decorations

Abstraction

Islamic art

Titus Burckhardt

20.1001.1.30927498.1403.2.8.6.1

Subjects

Theoretical studies of art

Aghchelou, F. (2008). The manifestation of unity in the mosques of the Timurid era of Iran, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan. Journale Mahe Honar, 120, 8.

Ajand, Y. (1990). History of Iran. Research from the University of Cambridge (1st ed.). Jam Publishing House. (in Persian).

Albhansi, A. (2008). Islamic art (M. Agassi, Trans.). Surah Mehr Publications, Tehran.

Bavandian, A. (2004). Islamic Architecture: Mawai with Us. Andisheh Club website. (in Persian).

Beheshti-Tavooci Bongabadi, K. (2021). The thematic and expressive affinity of Suhrevardi and Plato regarding the issue of abstraction. Journal of Comparative Theology, (26), 139–156.

Behnisi, A. A. (1999). Abstract art. Sourah Magazine, (74).

Blair, S., & Bloom, J. (2003). Islamic Art and Architecture in Iran and Central Asia (S. M. M. Hashemi Golpayegani, Trans.). Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance. (in Persian).

Burkhart, T. (1987). Eternal Values in Islamic Art (N. Pourjavadi, Trans.). Danesh Publishing House. (Vol. 2). (in Persian).

Burkhart, T. (1997). Foundations of Spiritual Art: Collection of Articles (S. H. Nasr, Trans.). Huzeh-e-Honari. (in Persian).

Connell, E. (1997). Islamic Art (Y. Ajand, Trans.). Momi. (in Persian).

Hase, D.-N. (2016). Avicenna in the process of abstraction (A. Ehsani, Trans.). Hekmat Asra Quarterly, 8(2).

Hill, D., & Graber, O. (1996). Islamic Architecture and Decorations (M. W. Daneshmand, Trans.). Scientific and Cultural Publications. (in Persian).

Jafari Tabrizi, M. T. (1996). Beauty and Art from an Islamic Perspective. Karamat. (in Persian).

Khazaei, M. (2001). Hazar Naqsh. Institute of Islamic Art Studies. (in Persian).

Makinejad, A. (2008). Architectural Decorations. Samet. (in Persian).

Malaekeh, P. (2023). Study of plant and animal motifs in architectural decorations of the Timurid period. Monthly Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies in Arts and Humanities, 2(11), 11–27.

Mosadeghian, V. (2005). Pattern and Color in Goharshad Mosque. November Book Publishing House. (in Persian).

Okin, B. (2007). Timurid Architecture in Khorasan (A. Akhshini, Trans.). Islamic Research Foundation. (in Persian).

Pirnia, M. K. (1980). Iranian Architectural Styles. Islamic Art Publishing House. (in Persian).

Pirnia, M. K. (n.d.). Stylistics of Iranian Architecture (G. H. Maumariyan, Ed.). Architect Publishing. (in Persian).

Pope, A. (1991). Architecture of Iran (G. H. Sadri Afshar, Trans.). Tehran. [In Persian]

Pope, A. U. (1965). Iranian Architecture: The Triumph of Form and Color. (in Persian).

Pope, A. U. (2001). Masterpieces of Iranian Art. Scientific and Cultural Publishing House. (in Persian).

Price, C. (2000). History of Islamic Art (M. Rajabnia, Trans.). Amir Kabir Publishing House. (in Persian).

Sharifzadeh, M., & Hamdiyeh, H. (2022). A comparative study of the concept of abstraction in Iranian painting and the concept of abstraction in Western painting. Art and Aesthetic Studies Quarterly, (7).

Sodavar, A. A. (2001). Art of the Courts of Iran. (in Persian).

Zomorshidi, H. (1999). Iranian Architecture: Traditional Materials Studies. Emerald Publishing House. (in Persian).