‫مغاربي‬

Islamic & Moorish

style
ID: JM-MARATON PRESENTATION
Copyright 2019 jmmaraton ® USC SAFAD
 Moorish
Historical
background
• Islam emerged in a polytheistic
environment; although there were notable
Jewish and Christian communities, most
people living on the Arabian Peninsula
believed in multiple gods.

Islam
• In contrast, the fundamental tenet of Islam was
monotheism—the belief in one God alone. What
began as a religious movement soon took on a
political dimension and Islam spread quickly
throughout the Middle and Near East.

Islam
• Mohammed made his historic trip from Mecca to Medina
in 622 c.e., the date that begins the Muslim calendar. A
remarkable spread of Islamic religious belief took place
over the next several hundred years, coming to dominate
most of the Near East, taking in Syria, Persia (now Iran),
Egypt, and most of coastal North Africa. The last remnants
of the eastern Roman empire came under Islamic control,
bringing about Islam’s spread into the Turkish lands and
along the Mediterranean coast, finally to include Spain.

Islamic Influence
• Islamic design is a somewhat different matter,
because it is defined by religious concerns and a
wide cultural influence rather than geography.
Also, its history is relatively short, beginning
only after the death of the prophet Mohammed
around 632 c.e., and can be studied in areas
such as Spain and Portugal in the West, and in
India and many other locations in North
Africa, Asia, and the Near East.

Islamic design
• Moor, in English usage, a
Moroccan or, formerly, a member
of the Muslim population of what
is now Spain and Portugal.

Moorish style
• Of mixed Arab, Spanish, and Amazigh
(Berber) origins, the Moors created the
Arab Andalusian civilization and
subsequently settled as refugees in North
Africa between the 11th and 17th
centuries. By extension (corresponding to
the Spanish moro), the term occasionally
denotes any Muslim in general, as in the
case of the “Moors” of Sri Lanka or of
the Philippines.

Moorish style
• Early Islamic architects
borrowed and adopted the
traditions and ways of the fallen
Persian empire.
• Characteristics: Tapered brick
pillars & Large arcades.

Persian - Isfahan
• Peak of design is in Alhambra, Spain
• Lasting impact in on modern Spanish
architecture.
• Characteristics: Foliage Motifs, Arches,
Glazed tile work and central fountain

Moorish- Alhambra
• Byzantine, Persian and Syrian
influence
• Vast inner spaces covered by
seemingly weightless but massive
domes, columns.

Ottoman- Istanbul
• Fusion: Hindu, Arabic, Persian
• The use of Marble and semi-precious
stones
• Showed power and influence over region.

Indo-Islamic
 Moorish
Politics
politics
 Prophet &Tribe
When Muhammad and his followers forged a new

01
“umma” (People, nation). At the heart of the project
was the transfer of power from empire to Prophet
(and, later, religious community).

The new community was to be based upon the Shariah

02 (Religious Law, or Code), which was designed to

determine morals, law, religious belief and ritual,
marriage, sex, trade and society.

03
After Muhammad’s death, it was assumed that
someone must succeed him in his role as Leader
(Imam) of the community, as his Deputy (Caliph).
Shariah: Islamic Law by ABD AR-RAHMAN I.DOI
 Moorish
Religion
religion
• The birth of Islam is marked by the first
revelation conveyed to the Prophet
Muhammad by God (in Arabic, Allah),
which occurred in the seventh century near
the city of Mecca on the Arabian Peninsula.

Introduction
• The rise of Islam is intrinsically linked with the
Prophet Muhammad, believed by Muslims to be
the last in a long line of prophets that includes
Moses and Jesus. Because Muhammad was the
chosen recipient and messenger of the word of
God through the divine revelations, Muslims from
all walks of life strive to follow his example. After
the holy Qur’an, the sayings of the Prophet
(hadith) and descriptions of his way of life
(sunna) are the most important Muslim texts.

The Prophet Muhammad

and the origins of Islam
• Muslims believe that the Qur’an, the
holy book of Islam, was revealed to
Muhammad over a period of twenty-
three years. The Qur’an contains
prayers, moral guidance, historical
narrative, and promises of paradise.

the Qur’an
• Profession of Faith (Shahadah) . The
belief that “There is no god but God,
and Muhammad is the Messenger of
God” is central to Islam.

Shahadah
Five Pillars of Islam
• Prayer (Salat). Muslims pray facing Mecca
five times a day: at dawn, noon, mid-
afternoon, sunset, and after dark. Muslims
can pray individually at any location or
together in a mosque, where a leader in
prayer (imam) guides the congregation.

Salat
Five Pillars of Islam
history.com/
• Alms (zakat). In accordance with
Islamic law, Muslims donate a fixed
portion of their income to
community members in need.

Zakat
Five Pillars of Islam
thehumblei.com/
• Fasting (sawm). During the daylight
hours of Ramadan, the ninth month
of the Islamic calendar, all healthy
adult Muslims are required to
abstain from food and drink.

Sawm
Five Pillars of Islam
salamislam.com
• Pilgrimage (hajj ). Every Muslim whose health and
finances permit it must make at least one visit to
the holy city of Mecca, in present-day Saudi
Arabia. The Ka‘ba, a cubical structure covered in
black embroidered hangings, is at the center of the
Haram Mosque in Mecca.

Hajj
Five Pillars of Islam
 Moorish
Fashion
Fashion
 • Islamic dress has for centuries been used to
symbolize purity, mark status or formal roles,
distinguish believer from nonbeliever and
identify gender. Traditionally Muslims were
admonished to dress modestly in garments
that do not reveal the body silhouette and
extremities. Head coverings were also
expected.

Islam Fashion
Encyclopedia of Islam. kendallredburn.com
 Women’sCostume
NIQAB . Veil that
covers mouth and
nose but with a
small opening for
the eyes. HIJAB . Head
scarf worn
The ABAYA OR by Muslim
CHADOR is cloak women to
that covers a cover the
woman from head hair and
to toe. It can be neck; from
combined with the Arabic
separate pieces word for veil;
that covers the
a symbol of
face nikab or a
tent-like covering
Islamic
BURQA . religious
belief.
factsanddetails.com/
 TURBANS are the
most well known of
Men’s
Costume
Muslim headgear,
however. Hats or
caps may also be
worn either
separately or under
turbans.

THOBE . Ankle-
length robe worn
by men and women
in Arab countries to
keep covered and
cool.

TAQIYA ,is a short, rounded skullcap. They are often worn for
religious purposes; for example, Muslims believe that the
dhgate.com Islamic prophet Muhammad used to keep his head covered.
char.txa.cornell.edu
Art
Art

Moorish
• The arts of the Mohammedan
countries.

Islamic
Arts
gifex.com/
• Establish a cultural tie with Arabian
heartland, with annual pilgrimage to mecca.

Islamic Arts
 Types ofArt

01-Calligraphy 02-Carpets 03-Metalwork 04-Pottery

 Types ofArt

• Folio from a Qur’an manuscript

• Late 13th–early 14th century
Spain Ink, opaque watercolor,
and gold on parchment; 211⁄16 x
22 in. (53.5 x 55.9 cm)
• Work of writing that uses the Arabic text as the basis of a written text,
01-Calligraphy
therefore, Islamic calligraphy is often called by the Arabic calligraphy.
Types ofArt
 Types ofArt

02-Carpet • Were primarily used to cover the floors of mosque and houses,
also occasionally used as wall decorations.
 Types ofArt

• They were usually made of sheep wool, goat’s or camel’s hair or, in later time,
02-Carpet
cotton and silk. The first half of the 16th century was considered the Golden Age of
carpet production.
 Types ofArt
• Bowl with cover

• Muslim artisans crafted elaborate boxes, basins, jugs, bowls and incense burners

03- Metalwork decorated with arabesques, inscriptions, and other highly stylized plant forms,
specializing also in brass and bronze, luxuriously inlaid with gold, silver and copper.
• Candle holder
Types ofArt • Bowl
• Bowl • Brass; engraved and inlaid
• Plated base metal with silver

• Muslim artisans crafted elaborate boxes, basins, jugs, bowls and incense burners

03- Metalwork decorated with arabesques, inscriptions, and other highly stylized plant forms,
specializing also in brass and bronze, luxuriously inlaid with gold, silver and copper.
 Types ofArt

TIN-GLAZED
• Produced in Egypt and Iraq were influenced by
04- Pottery
the Chinese white and porcelain stone ware.
 Types ofArt • Bowl
• Earthenware; overglaze luster-painted

• A type of pottery with an over glaze finish

04- Pottery LUSTERWARE containing copper and silver or other materials that
give the effect of iridescence.
 Types ofArt

• “scratches” Italian
04- Pottery SGRAFFITO • Pointed materials and draw
 Moorish
Architecture
Interior design
• Islamic architecture of North Africa and
especially the regions of Spain under
Moorish domination characterized by
the building of large mosques and
elaborate fortress palaces.

Moorish
Architecture
• The English word mosque denotes a
Muslim house of worship. The word
evolved from the Arabic term masjid,
which means “place of prostration.”

The mosque
 Architectural
01 02

Character
01
Synthesis of styles under one philosophy but in
many different circumstances.

02
No essential difference in techniques between
religious and non religious buildings.

03
Important architectural endeavor is normally
expanded on buildings having a direct social or
community purpose.

04
Decorations tend toward the abstract, using
geometric, calligraphic and plant motifs, with a
preference for a uniform field of decoration
03 04 rather than a focal element.
 Architectural
05 07

Character
Basic conservatism discourages

05 innovations and favors

established forms

06 Symmetry and balance ( as in

the concept of perfect creation)

07 Centered upon God

06
 Architectural
Forms

01-Mosque/ Masjid 02- Palace w/ courtyard 03- Tombs

Architectural
Forms

04-Fortress 05- Madrasa - School

 ArchitecturalForms

• Building used for Friday prayer

• “a place to prostrate”
• Neighborhood mosque called jami masjid
01-Mosque/ Masjid • Principal place of worship
(small)
 Architectural
Forms

• Cloistered or arcaded courtyard is a fundamental

01-Mosque/ Masjid feature
 ArchitecturalForms
PARTS:

• Plan: inward looking building.

• No positive object of attention or adoration
conceived around an axis towards Mecca (axis
01-Mosque/ Masjid terminates at mihrab)
Shahrilkhairi.com
 ArchitecturalForms
PARTS:
• Parts:

01-Mosque/ Masjid • BAB - gateway

 ArchitecturalForms
PARTS:
• Parts:

01-Mosque/ Masjid • SAHN-courtyard of a mosque

 ArchitecturalForms
PARTS:
• Parts:
wikipedia.org

01-Mosque/ Masjid • HARAM-covered area in front of qibla wall

 ArchitecturalForms
PARTS:
• Parts:

bbc.com

01-Mosque/ Masjid • IWAN/IVAN- open fronted vault facing a court

 ArchitecturalForms
PARTS:
• Parts:

Isfahan Mosaic of polychrome-

glazed cut tiles on stonepaste body
This mihrab is decorated with
inscriptions on a background of
cobalt blue, turquoise, golden yellow,
white, and dark green tile mosaic

01-Mosque/ Masjid • MIHRAB-niche oriented towards Mecca

 ArchitecturalForms
PARTS:
• Parts:

01-Mosque/ Masjid • MIHRAB-niche oriented towards Mecca

 ArchitecturalForms
PARTS:
• Parts:

commons.wikimedia.org/

01-Mosque/ Masjid • DIKKA-reading desk

 ArchitecturalForms
PARTS:
• Parts:

britannica.com

01-Mosque/ Masjid • MINBAR-raised platform for ceremonial announcement

 ArchitecturalForms
PARTS:
• Parts:

flickr.com

01-Mosque/ Masjid • MAQSURA-screen

 ArchitecturalForms
PARTS:
• Parts:
pixabay.com

• MINARET – originally used as a high point from which to make the

call to prayer (adhan), minarets remain a traditionally decorative
01-Mosque/ Masjid feature of most mosque
 ArchitecturalForms
PARTS:
• Parts:

01-Mosque/ Masjid • MINARET- tower from which a call to prayer is made.

 ArchitecturalForms
PARTS:
• Parts:
archnet.org

01-Mosque/ Masjid • QIBLA WALL- axis oriented towards Mecca

 ArchitecturalForms
PARTS:
depositphotos.com
• Parts:

• MUSALLA – The central area for prayer is called a

01-Mosque/ Masjid (literally, “place for prayer”)
 ArchitecturalForms
PARTS:
• Parts:

worldwanderista.com

01-Mosque/ Masjid • HAREM – women’s or private chamber of a house or plane

 ArchitecturalForms
PARTS:
• Parts:

taximtravel.com

01-Mosque/ Masjid • HAREM – women’s or private chamber of a house or plane

 ArchitecturalForms
PARTS:
• Parts:

taximtravel.com

01-Mosque/ Masjid • HAREM – women’s or private chamber of a house or plane

 ArchitecturalForms
PARTS:
• Parts:

01-Mosque/ Masjid • SELAMIK – men’s or guest’s quarters

ArchitecturalSites
Dome of the Rock
• It is an
octagonal
structure
topped with
a glittering
dome that
rises over
internal
colonnades.
ArchitecturalSites
Dome of the Rock
• Jerusalem,
characterized
by multi-
patterned
ceramic
exterior
facings.
ArchitecturalSites
Dome of the Rock
• Believed to be
the place from
which the
Prophet
Muhammed
ascended into
heaven during
his night journey
to heaven. The
oldest Islamic
monument.
 ArchitecturalSites
Great Mosque
of Cordoba

omrania.com/

• The structure is regarded as one of the most accomplished monuments of Moorish architecture.
 ArchitecturalSites

Great Mosque of Cordoba omrania.com/

• Originally a catholic church

ArchitecturalSites

Great Mosque,
Iraq
• The largest mosque ever
built, it has a cone-shaped
minaret that is encircled by
an outer ramp on the form of
a spiral.
ArchitecturalSites
Great Mosque,
Damascus • Great Mosque of
Damascus, also
called Umayyad
Mosque, the
earliest surviving
stone mosque.
The mosque
stands on the site
of a 1st-century
Hellenic temple
to Jupiter and of
a later church of

jisrtv.com/ St. John the

ArchitecturalSites
Great Mosque,
Damascus
• John
the
Baptist
• Minaret
of Jesus

vedeng.co/
 Architectural
Sites
Great Mosque,
Damascus

• John the
Baptist
• Minaret of
Jesus
Architectural
Sites
Sheikh Zayed
Grand Mosque
• is located in
Abu Dhabi,
the capital
city of the
United Arab
Emirates.
Architectural
Sites
Sheikh Zayed
Grand Mosque
• The
largest
mosque
in the
country.
Architectural
Sites
Sheikh Zayed
Grand Mosque
• The
largest
mosque
in the
country.
Architectural
Sites
Sheikh Zayed
Grand Mosque
• The dome layout
and floorplan of
the mosque was
inspired by the
Badshahi
Mosque.
Architectural
Sites
Sheikh Zayed
Grand Mosque
• Its
archways
are
quintessen
tially
Moorish,
and its
minarets
classically
Arab.
Architectural
Sites
Sheikh Zayed
Grand Mosque
• The pools
along the
arcades reflect
the mosque's
columns,
which
become
illuminated at
night.
Architectural
Sites
Sheikh Zayed
Grand Mosque
• Its archways are
quintessentially
Moorish, and its
minarets
classically Arab.
 Architectural
Forms

02- Palace w/ courtyard

ArchitecturalSites
Alhambra, Spain
• Alhambra, palace
and fortress of the
Moorish monarchs
of Granada, Spain.
The name
Alhambra, signifying
in Arabic “the red,”
is probably derived
from the reddish
colour of the tapia
(rammed earth) of
which the outer walls
were built.
 ArchitecturalSites
Alhambra, Spain

wikimedia.org

• A richly decorated and elaborate palace and fortress

Interior
Views
Alhambra, Spain
• The present
entrance through
the Oratory leads
to the Patio de los
Arrayanes (Court
of the Myrtles).

encirclephotos.com
Interior
Views
Alhambra, Spain
• In the centre

• ---- is a large
reflecting
pond set in
the marble
pavement.
 ArchitecturalSites
Chihil Sutun pavilion,
Isfahan, Iran
• In Isfahan, the
ceremonial
pavilion of Chihil
Sutun includes
this porch. The
reflected columns,
the pavilion’s
alternative name–
–the palace of
“The Forty
Columns.”
archnet.org/
 Fresco, Chihil Sutun pavilion,
Isfahan, Iran, late 1660s.

• This is a portion of one of the many mural paintings that

decorated the interior of the Chihil Sutun. The figure here
is the Shah Tahmasp, seated at a reception for the
ambassador of the Grand Moghul. The room was made
bright and colorful by the many paintings in a similar style.
 Architectural
Forms

03- Tombs
ArchitecturalSites

Taj Mahal, India

• White splendored tomb
was built by Emperor
Shah Jahan in the
memory of his favorite
wife, Arjumand Banu
Begum, better known as
Muntaz Mahal
(“Chosen of the
Palace”).
ArchitecturalSites
Taj Mahal, India
• It sits on raised
platform surrounded
by four minarets.
Inside are delicate
mosaic works and
marble walls adorned
with intricate
patterns of inlaid
precious stones.
Architectural
Sites
Taj Mahal,
India
• the majestic central
dome, which reaches
a height of 240 feet at
the tip of its finial, is
surrounded by four
lesser domes.
 Other Spanish -IslamicStyles

Mudejar
Architecture
• (13thc-16th century)
• A style of Spanish architecture by
Mudejar and Christian working with
Muslim traditions; Characterized by
the fusion of Romanesque and Gothic

pebblewalks.com/
with Islamic.
Other Islamic
Styles
Ottoman
architecture
• (14th)
• Islamic architecture of the
Ottoman empire much influenced
by byzantine architecture.
• Conquered the Hagia Sophia
 Moorish
Interior
Design
• In architecture and design, medieval
Spanish work exhibits a coexistence
of two traditions: the Romanesque
direction emanating from southern
France and the Islamic or
“Moorish” work coming from the
East via northern Africa.

Islamic Influence
in Spain
ArchitecturalSites
Alhambra, Spain
• Alhambra, palace
and fortress of the
Moorish monarchs
of Granada, Spain.
The name
Alhambra, signifying
in Arabic “the red,”
is probably derived
from the reddish
colour of the tapia
(rammed earth) of
which the outer walls
were built.
 Plan of the
Alhambra Palace,
Granada

• The complex plan of the Alhambra palace at

Granada, with its many courts, halls, pools,
and even a bath, reflects a high point in
Islamic (Moorish) design in Spain.
Source: Youtube
Interior
Views
Alhambra, Spain
• Alicatado in
the Tower of
Comares, the
Alhambra,
Granada,
Spain.
 Interior
Views
Alhambra, Spain

https://www.civitatis.com/
 Interior
Views
Alhambra, Spain
• Golden dome
in the
Alhambra

flickriver.com
 Interior
Views
Alhambra, Spain
• Golden
dome in
the
Alhambra

traveldigg.com/
 Interior
Views
Alhambra, Spain
• A pavilion with
filigree walls and a
wooden domed
ceiling.

• The colonnade is
paved with white
marble, and in the
centre of the court
is the Fuente de los
Leones (Fountain
of the Lions), an
alabaster basin
supported by the
figures of 12 white
marble lions,
emblems of
strength and
courage.
Forbes.com
 Interior
Views
Alhambra, Spain
• Surrounding
the court is
an ornately
decorated
gallery
supported by
124 white
marble
columns.

absolutevisit.com
 Interior
Views
Alhambra, Spain
• Alhambra
Carving
• Details
And tiling
work

traveldigg.com/
Interior
Views
Alhambra, Spain
• Alhambra
Interior Art
Calligraphy

historylines.net
 Alhambra
Granada (Spain)

• Palacio de Generalife was the

summer palace and country estate
of the Nasrid rulers.
Architectural
Sites
Sheikh Zayed
Grand Mosque
• is located in
Abu Dhabi,
the capital
city of the
United
Arab
Emirates.
 Sheikh Zayed
Grand Mosque

• The 96
columns in the
main prayer
hall are clad
with marble
and inlaid
with mother
of pearl, one of
the few places
where one can
see this
craftsmanship.

edition.cnn.com
 Sheikh Zayed
Grand Mosque

• The carpet
in the main
prayer hall
is
considered
to be the
world's
largest
carpet made
by Iran's
Carpet
Company

https://cruisearabiaonline.com/
Sheikh Zayed
Grand Mosque
• The Sheikh
Zayed Grand
Mosque has
seven imported
chandeliers from
the company
Faustig in
Munich,
Germany that
incorporate
millions of
Swarovski
crystals.
Sheikh Zayed
Grand Mosque
Architectural
Sites
Sheikh Zayed
Grand Mosque
 ArchitecturalSites

Great Mosque of Cordoba omrania.com/

• Originally a catholic church

 ArchitecturalSites

•
Great Mosque of Cordoba omrania.com/
Spain, known for its prayer hall which is comprised of double arcades with which the lower arches are of horseshoe
form and have voussoirs of white stone and red brick.
 ArchitecturalSites

•
Great Mosque of Cordoba omrania.com/
A two-tiered system of arches, built of alternating red and white stones, gives the prayer hall its extraordinary
spatial quality
 ArchitecturalSites

Great Mosque of Cordoba omrania.com/

• The ribbed dome above the mihrab represents a technical and aesthetic breakthrough. Its structural lightness is
accentuated by dazzling mosaics.
ArchitecturalSites
Taj Mahal,
India
• White splendored tomb
was built by Emperor
Shah Jahan in the
memory of his favorite
wife, Arjumand Banu
Begum, better known as
Muntaz Mahal
(“Chosen of the
Palace”).
 Taj Mahal, India

• The floor of Taj Mahal is a geometrical game of black and white marbles, exhibiting octagonal star and cruciform shapes.
 Taj Mahal,
India
• As you step into the
main chamber of the
monument, the
Mughal royalty is an
open book. This room
consists of the false
funeral boxes of
Mumtaz Mahal and
Shah Jahan, while the
original graveyards lie
much deep below the
ground. These boxes
are encircled with
lattice designed
marble screens, while
the rest of the surface
is embellished with
askideas.com/ semi-precious stones.
 Taj Mahal,
India
• The interior of
the mausoleum
is organized
around an
octagonal
marble chamber
ornamented
with low-relief
carvings and
semiprecious
stones (pietra

visittnt.com/ dura).
 Taj Mahal, Agra,
India

• This is the interior of this famous building,

built by Shah Jahan as a monumental tomb.
Marble screens with elaborate carving and
jeweled inlays surround the cenotaph area
under the central dome.
ArchitecturalSites
Dome of the
Rock • It is an
octagonal
structure
topped with
a glittering
dome that
rises over
internal
colonnades.
 ArchitecturalSites
Dome of the
Rock
• Right below the dome, at the center
of the structure interior, lies the
Holy Rock (Foundation stone)
which is part of the surrounding
determined by archaeologists to be
90 million years old, Upper
Turonian Stage, Late Cretaceous
karsted limestone –

spacetimefactor.wordpress.com/
Interior
Views
Dome of the
Rock

• Dome of the Rock:

Interior design
 Interior
Views
Dome of the
Rock
• The rock is also known
as the Pierced Stone
because it has a small
hole on the
southeastern corner
that enters a cavern
beneath the rock,
known as the ‘Well of
Souls’ that now holds a
small prayer area inside.
flickr.com/
 Interior
Views
Dome of the
Rock
• Dome of the
Rock: Mosaic,
tile, and
inscription on
exterior walls

spacetimefactor.wordpress.com/
 Interior
Views
Dome of the
Rock
• Dome of the
Rock: Interior
decoration

spacetimefactor.wordpress.com/
ArchitecturalSites
Great Mosque,
Damascus
• John
the
Baptist
• Minaret
of Jesus

vedeng.co/
 Interior
Views
Great Mosque,
Damascus
• The liwan, or hall of
worship, running the
length of the south side of
the mosque, is divided into
three long aisles by rows
of columns and arches. A
transept with a central
octagonal dome, originally
wooden, cuts across the
aisles at their midpoint.
The marble grilles that
cover the windows in the
south wall are the earliest
example of geometric
interlace in Islāmic
architecture.
wayfarerscompass.com/
Other Mosque interiors Sheikh Lotfollah
Mosque, Isfahan
• The
interior
hallway
leading to
the
entrance
of the
mosque
is shown.

researchgate.net
Other Mosque interiors Sheikh Lotfollah
Mosque, Isfahan
• The
"peacock"
at the
centre of
the interior
side of the
dome is one
of the
unique
characterist
ics of the
mosque.

https://theplanetd.com/
Other Mosque interiors Sheikh Lotfollah
Mosque, Isfahan
The interior
side of the
dome. The
decoration
seems to lead
the eye
upwards
toward its
center, as the
rings of
ornamental
bands filled
with
arabesque
patterns
become
smaller and
smaller.
Other Mosque interiors Vakil Mosque,
Shiraz, Iran

• Its night
prayer hall
(Shabestan)
, contains
48
monolithic
pillars
carved in
spirals,
each with a
capital of
acanthus
leaves.
Other Mosque interiors Nasir ol Molk
Mosque, Shiraz,
iran
• The
mosque
includes
extensive
coloured
Fisheye view of Nasir al-Mulk Mosque glass in its
facade, and
displays
other
traditional
elements
such as the
Panj Kāse
("five
concaved")
design.
Other Mosque interiors Nasir ol Molk
Mosque, Shiraz,
iran
Orsi windows
are windows
made of a
mixture of
wood and
colorful glass in
the Safavid and
the Qajar
dynasties. Orsi
differs from
stained glass
used in many
churches and
Ottoman
mosques which
serve as
illuminated
images rather
than a source of
light.
Other Mosque interiors Nasir ol Molk
Mosque, Shiraz,
iran
it is named in
popular
culture as
the 'Pink
Mosque',
due to the
usage of a
considerable
number of
pink-colored
tiles for its
interior
design.
Other Mosque interiors Nasir ol Molk Mosque, Shiraz,
Iran

https://theplanetd.com/
• Furniture was little used in Islamic
interiors. Low benches or couches
were generally covered by textiles,
carpets, and rugs. The
development of weaving techniques
in the Near East generated the
design of rugs of great beauty and
variety.

Furniture elitebybloshotel.com/
 Qur’an stand
Rahla

• Iran Teak; carved, painted, and inlaid

• Lavishly decorated stands (rahlas) were

designed to hold large copies of the
Qur’an. This stand is made of two
interlocking wood panels decorated with
carved inscriptions and floral, vegetal, and
geometric motifs. The upper square panels
bear the word God (“Allah”) repeated in
four quadrants over a background of
carved spiral arabesques.
 Mosque
Lamp
• Glass, colorless with brown tinge;
blown, blown applied foot, enameled
and gilded.

• Mosque lamps like this one symbolize

God’s presence.
• A number of regions developed
individual styles that give their
names to the greatly “oriental rugs”
still collected and imitated. Certain
Islamic characteristics can be
identifi ed in the rugs produced in the
Muslim countries.

Oriental Rugs
 Oriental Rugs

Prayer rug Bokhara rug Kazakh “star” rug

• A marked characteristic of Islamic design
is the avoidance of any depiction of human,
animal, or plant forms as elements of
design or decoration, as required by the
teaching of the Koran. This necessity
compelled the development of a vocabulary
of surface ornament of purely geometric
character in a combination of calligraphic
elements using text from the Koran or other
religious works.

Islamic Influence
 Decorations

Moldings and Friezes crestings

 Decorations

patterned brickwork carved stucco

 Decorations

carvings in bas relief stone inlay

 Decorations

painting timber carving

 Decorations

ceramic facing and mosaic glass mosaic

 Decorations

decorative bonding for brickwork dome

 Decorations

Arabesques screen or pierced grilles in marble

Decorations

Moorish arches
Decorations

Moorish arches
Decorations
 Patterns

Jali (screen) Star- and hexagonal-tile panel Textile fragment

 Sources:
MAIN AND SUPPORT REFERENCE
• Pile, J. F., & Gura, J. (2014). A history of interior design. Hoboken, NJ Wiley.
• Archer, P. (2014). Religion 101: From Allah to Zen Buddhism: An exploration of the
key people, practices, and beliefs that have shaped the religions of the world. Avon,
MA: Adams Media Corporation.
• Johnston, S. I. (2007). Ancient religions. Cambridge, MA: Belknap Press of Harvard
University Press.
• Ekhtiar, M., & Moore, C. (2012). Art of the Islamic world: A resource for educators.
New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
• Staff, D. K. (2019). Smithsonian - Fashion: The Definitive Visual Guide. Dorling
Kindersley Publishing, Incorporated.
• Alami, M. H. (2014). Art and architecture in the Islamic tradition aesthetics, politics
and desire in early Islam. London: Tauris.
• Black, A. (2014). The history of Islamic political thought: From the Prophet to the
present. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.
• Unit One: Islam and Religious Art | The Metropolitan ... (n.d.). Retrieved May 7,
2020, from https://www.metmuseum.org/learn/educators/curriculum-
resources/art-of-the-islamic-world/unit-one/
• Dodds, J. D. (1992). Al - Andalus: the art of Islamic Spain ; in conjunction with the
Exhibition Al-Andalus, the Art of Islamic Spain, held at the Alhambra, Granada
(March 18 - June 7, 1992), and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (July 1 -
September 27, 1992). Abrams.

INTERNET SOURCE
• Explore Encyclopedia Britannica. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/
• (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.metmuseum.org/
• Beautiful Free Images & Pictures | Unsplash. (n.d.). Retrieved May 7, 2020, from
https://unsplash.com/
 ‫مغاربي‬
Islamic & Moorish
style
ID: JM-MARATON PRESENTATION
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