AN INTRODUCTION

ISLAMIC GEOMETRIC PATTERNS TO THE ISLAMIC

DECORATIVE ARTS
 THE THREE
MAIN
DECORATIVE
ARTS
There are three main Islamic decorative
arts which were quite often used
together and derived from the earlier
cultures of the Greeks, Romans and
Sassanians:

Islamic Geometric Patterns

Arabesque
Islamic Calligraphy
 Islamic Geometric Patterns

Islamic art avoids figurative images to

avoid becoming objects of worship.

The use of abstract geometric patterns

developed over the centuries covering a
vast spectrum of forms.
 Islamic Geometric Patterns

Islamic art avoids figurative images to

avoid becoming objects of worship.

The use of abstract geometric patterns

developed over the centuries covering a
vast spectrum of forms.

Jameh Mosque, Yazd, Iran

 Arabesque

The Arabesque was based on the

curving and branching of plant forms.
Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, Isfahan, Iran
 Islamic Calligraphy

Islamic calligraphy was used as

embellishments as part of a design, as
well as being reminders of key
quotations or phrases from the Quran
 Islamic Calligraphy

Islamic calligraphy were used as

embellishments as part of a design, as
well as being reminders of key
quotations or phrases from the Quran

Dome of the Rock, Jerusalem

 FORMS OF
DECORATIVE
ART
 Geometric patterns occur in a variety
of forms of Islamic art and architecture:

Kilim carpets
Girih
Banna’i
Zellige
Muqarnas
Jali
Ceramics
 KILIM
CARPETS
 Kilim carpets are flat tapestry woven
carpets for the household or for prayer.

Kilim patterns are characteristic of

specific regions and geometric motifs
are used which are often very symbolic.
 Kilim carpets are flat tapestry woven
carpets for the household or for prayer.

Kilim patterns are characteristic of

specific regions and geometric motifs
are used which are often very symbolic.

Kilim Carpets
GIRIH
Girih is a Persian Islamic decorative art form
used in architecture and handicrafts
consisting of geometric lines that form an
interlaced strapwork.

They are often star and polygon designs in

which 6-, 8-, 10- or 12 pointed stars are
separated by polygons and straps.
 Girih is a

Persian Girih
Shah-i-Zinda
Samarkand
BANNA’I
Banna’i is an architectural decorative art in
which glazed tiles are alternated with plain
bricks to create geometric patterns over the
surface of a wall to spell out sacred names
or phrases. This was popular in Iran and
Central Asia.

Square kufic derived from this.

Banna’i
ZELLIGE
 Zellige is a mosaic tilework made from
individual chiselled geometric tiles set into
plaster.

It is very characteristically Moroccan and

found also in al-Andalus. It is used to
ornament walls, ceilings, fountains, floors,
pool and tables.
Zellige
MUQARNAS
Muqarnas is a form of ornamental vaulting
in Islamic architecture.

They developed in the 10th century in north

eastern Iran but developed independently
across Morocco, Al-Andalus, Iraq and Egypt.
MUQARNAS
JALI
Jali is a perforated stone or a latticed screen
usually constructed through the use of
calligraphy and geometry.

Jali helps in lowering the temperature of a

room and can also provide some degree of
privacy.
JALI
CERAMICS
Ceramics lend themselves to circular motifs.

Islamic ceramics were influenced by Chinese

ideas and techniques.

Lustreware (a metallic glaze of iridescence),

Iznikware are notable achievements.
Ceramics
 PATTERN
FORMATION
Many Islamic designs are built on squares
and circles, typically

repeated,
overlapped and
interlaced

to form intricate and complex patterns.

The circle symbolises unity and
diversity in nature and many
Islamic patterns are drawn
starting with a circle to form
squares and regular polygons
before creating stars and
other more complex shapes.
The blue girih tiled dome
contains stars with 5, 7, 9,
12, 11 and 10 points in
turn.

11 point stars are rare in

Islamic art.

Shah Nematollah Vali

Shrine, Mahan, Iran
 PATTERN
FORMATION-
EARLY
STAGES
 The earliest geometrical
forms in Islamic art were
isolated geometric shapes
such as 8-pointed stars and
lozenges containing
squares.

Great Mosque of
Kairouan, Tunisia, 8th
Century
 PATTERN
FORMATION-
MIDDLE
STAGE
The middle stage led to the
development of 6 – 8
pointed stars and
becoming widespread
throughout the Islamic
world.

6-pointed Stars with

Hexagons and 8 pointed
Stars, Mamluk Sultan
Qalaun, Cairo, Egypt
8-pointed Stars & Crosses,
Lustreware, Kashan, Iran
In 1086, 7 and 10 point girih
patterns (with heptagons, 5
and 6 pointed stars, triangles
and irregular hexagons)
appear.
10 point became widespread
in the Islamic world except in
Al-Andalus.

5- and 10-point stars,

Girih tiles, Shah-i-Zinda,
Samarkand, Iran
 9-, 11- and 13- point girih
patterns are used in Isfahan.

Like 7-point geometrical

patterns they are rarely
used outside of Persia and
Central Asia.

5-, 7-, 9-, 12-, 11-, 10-

pointed stars,
Shah Nematollah Vali
Shrine, Mahan, Iran.
 8- and 12-fold rosette
patterns appear in Turkey in
1220 and Iraq in 1230 and
going widespread throughout
the Islamic world.

12-fold rosettes,
Wooden minbar, Turkey
 PATTERN
FORMATION-
LATE STAGE
 More complex patterns
characterise this stage seeing
the use of the 16-point
pattern found in Egypt and
the Alhambra.

16 pointed star from the

Alhambra, Spain
TOOLS OF
THE TRADE
Equipment for Construction
 Equipment for
Tracing/Tessellation
EQUIPMENT FOR FINISHING