Abstract

Full paper prices: €32 / €24 / €60

Open Access price: €600

Symmetry: Culture and Science
Volume 31, Number 3, pages 297-319 (2020)
https://doi.org/10.26830/symmetry_2020_3_297

THE USE OF REGULAR TAKHT IN THE GEOMETRICAL SYSTEM OF THE MUQARNAS: A CASE STUDY ON MOSQUES AND SHRINES OF KASHAN

Ahmad Danaeinia^1*, Bahador Erfan²

¹ University of Kashan, Faculty of Architecture and Art, Department of Architecture, Km 6 Qotb-e Ravandi Blvd., Kashan 87317-53153, Iran
E-mail: danaeinia@kashanu.ac.ir

² University of Feyz-E-Kashani, Faculty of Architecture and Art, Department of Architecture
E-mail: bahador_erfan@yahoo.com

^* corresponding author

Abstract: The muqarnas, one of the archetypal decorative elements in Iranian architecture, is used as transitional elements between walls and domed structures and allow the distinguishing between the main parts of a structure. Only the simplest tools are necessary for drawing the muqarnas, but in terms of performance and understanding, the muqarnas is among the most complex aspects of karbandi geometry. The study of geometric patterns in the muqarnas, particularly in the recognition of takht elements, which have a very complex behavioral understanding, is among the issues that have been so far less studied. A large number of elements in each row of muqarnas have made it complicated to understand the geometrical relations of this type of karbandi. Although the elements that make the muqarnas follow a certain geometry, the elements which have the only horizontal element in any train of muqarnas is formed according to the circle division; its study will lead to a deeper and better understanding of these takht elements. Takht elements can be seen as regular polygons and star regular polygons in the suspended muqarnas. This particular article provides the research of several regular takht elements through a geometrical study focused on several monuments in the city of Kashan to provide a standard drawing of muqarnas for designers and researchers. This research strives to respond to the following questions: What are the rules for designing and drawing a regular takht element in muqarnas? How do regular takht elements affect the formation and development of the geometrical system? What is the geometric ratio of the regular takht elements angles with the angles of architectural girih angles?

Keywords: muqarnas, takht elements, geometrical system, Kashan, Iran

References:
Alaçam, S., Güzelci, O.Z. (2018) Generative Manifolds of Muqarnas Patterns, In: Roncoroni Osio, U.L., ed., Medios Digitales, San Martín de Porres, Lima, Peru: Fondo Editorial USMP, 33–46.

Basirat, M., Khalili Pour, A., and Tavousy, M. (2013) A survey of the muqarnas in the Safavid period on the relics in the city of Esfahan, Fasl-nāmih Naqsh-māyih, 4, 15, 7–14.

Bolkhari Ghehi, H. (2017) Philosophy, geometry and architecture, Vol. 2, Tehran: University of Tehran.

Cromwell, P.R. (2010) Islamic geometric designs from the Topkapı Scroll, I: Unusual arrangements of stars, Journal of Mathematics and the Arts, 4, 2, 73–85. https://doi.org/10.1080/17513470903311669

Danaeinia, A. and Fattahpour, M. (2018) The relationship between architecture and symmetry in Persian architecture: A case study of Sheikh Loṭfollāh Mosque in Isfahan, Symmetry: Culture and Science, 29, 3, 423–439. https://doi.org/10.26830/symmetry_2018_3_423

Dadkhah, N., Safaeipour, H. and Memarian, G.H. (2012) Traditional Complex Modularity in Islamic and Persian Architecture: Interpretations in Muqarnas and Patkaneh Crafts, Focusing on their Prefabricated Essence, In: Proceedings of 2012 ACSA Fall Conference—Offsite: Theory and Practice of Architectural Production, [Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, 27–29 September 2012], 130–138.

Fallāh-far, S. (2009) Dictionary of Traditional Iranian Architecture, Vol. 2, ed. by Azādih Dihqānī, Tehran: Kāvush-Pardāz.

Soleimani Nisiyani, F., Ayatolahi, H., Ansari, M., Bemaniyan, M., and Poor Rezaeiyan, M. (2015) A comparative study on the muqarnas artworks of Iran with other Islamic nations in regard to the Genette intertextuality system, Islamic Art, 11, 22, 107–128.

Godard, A. and Godard, Y. (2011) Vault and arch in the forms architecture of Iran, Vol. 1, ed. by Qarāgauzlau, H. and Sāımī, S., Tehran: Mudīrāni Emrauz.

Hamekasi, N., Samavati, F.F. and Nasri, A.H. (2011) Interactive modelling of muqarnas, In: Spencer, S.N., ed. Proceedings of the International Symposium on Computational Aesthetics in Graphics, Visualization, and Imaging, New York: ACM, 129–136. https://doi.org/10.1145/2030441.2030469

Kaplan, C.S., and Salesin, D.H. (2004) Islamic star patterns in absolute geometry, ACM Transactions on Graphics (TOG), 13, 2, 97–119. https://doi.org/10.1145/990002.990003

Kaplan, C.S. (2000) Computer generated Islamic star patterns, In: Sarhangi, ed. BRIDGES Mathematical Connections in Art, Music and Science, [Southwestern College, Winfield, Kansas, U.S.A., 28–31 July 2000], 105–112.

Kashani, G. (1987) Resāleh Tāg (arch ) va (vault ) Azaj, transl. by Siyyd Alīrezā Jazbī, Tehran: Soroush Press.

Kazempourfard, H.R. (2014) The Evolution of Muqarnas in Iran from Pre-Seljuk to Ilkhanid Period, Malaysia: Universiti Teknologi Malaysia.

Kazempourfard, H.R. (2016) The Evolution of Muqarnas in Iran, Reseda, CA, U.S.A.: Supreme Century.

Lee, A.J. (1987) Islamic star patterns, Muqarnas (Brill), 4, 182–197. https://doi.org/10.2307/1523103

Lee, T. and Soliman, A. (2014) The geometric rosette: Analysis of an Islamic decorative motif, 21 p., retrieved from: http://www.tilingsearch.org/Rosette%20analysis.pdf

Mahdī Nezhād Muqaddam, L. (2009) Nuqūshe muqarnas-hā-ye iyyvāne īlkhānī Dar Majmuihe Bastām, Māhnāmeh Ketāb Māh hunar, 31, 84–89.

Makinejad, M. (2008) Persian Art History in Islamic Period: Architectural decorations, Tehran: The Center for Studying and Compiling University Books in Humanities (SAMT) Institute for Research and Development in the Humanities.

Memarian, G.H. (2015) Iranian Architecture: Structure and Construction, Vol. 2, ed. by Hadi Safaeipour, Tehran: No-Andish.

Moradzadeh, S. and Ebrahimi, A.N. (2020) The point-joined techniques in Islamic geometric patterns in Iran, Symmetry: Culture and Science, 31, 2, 199–221. https://doi.org/10.26830/symmetry_2020_2_199

Mulavī, B., and Gāsimzādih, M. (2002) Investigated the use of geometry in architecture Iran (Islamic Period), Tehran: Building and Housing Research Center.

Nasri, A., Benslimane, R. and Ouaazizi, A.E. (2017) Geometric rosette patterns analysis and generation, Journal of Cultural Heritage, 25, 3, 65–74, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.culher.2016.12.013

Navā'i, K. and Qāssemi, K.H. (2011) Khesht-o Khiāl, an Interpretation of Iranian Islamic Architecture, Tehran: Soroush Press, Shahid Beheshti University (SBU).

Nazari, S., Mazaherian, H., and Memarian, G.H. (2017) Typology and geometrical and structural analysis of yazdi-bandi in Iranian architecture, Honarhaye ziba Memari va shahrsazi, 22, 1, 53–64.

Necipoğlu, G. (2010) The Topkapi Scroll: Geometry and Ornament in Islamic Architecture with an Essay on the Geometry of the Muqarnas, Tehran: Ruzanih.

Nejad Ebrahimi, A., and Sami, Z. (2018) Investigation into ornamental patterns of muqarnas in architecture of Tabriz historic bazaar, Journal of Studies on Iranian-Islamic City,8, 31, 5–17.

Pirnia, M.K. (1991) Dome in Persian architectrue (Gunbad Dar Mimārīi Iran), Asar, 20, 1, 5–139.

Pour Nāderi, H. (1999) Sha’rbāf Va Āsārash: Jeld-E Dovvom-E Gereh Va Karbandi (Sharbaf and his works: second volume of Gereh And Karbandi), Tehran: Sāzmān-e Mirās-e Farhangi-ye Keshvar (Iranian Cultural Heritage Organization).

Raiyyszādih, M. and Mufīd, H. (2005) Ehyā-ye Honar Hā-ye Az Yād Rafteh: Mabāni-ye Me’māri-ye Sonnati Dar Iran Be Revāyat-e Ostād Hossein-e Lorzādeh (Revival Of Forgotten Arts: Basics Of Traditional Architecture In Iran As Narrated By Master Hossein-E Lorzadeh), Vol. 2. Tehran: Enteshārāt-e Moulā (Moula Publications).

Takahashi, S. (1973) Muqarnas: A Three-Dimensional Decoration of Islamic Architecture, retrieved from: www.shiro1000.jp/muqarnas/default-.htm.

Yasser, T. (1985) The muqarnas dome: Its origin and meaning, Muqarnas, 3, 61–74. https://doi.org/10.2307/1523084

Zomorshidi, H. (2010) Gunbad Va Anāsur-i Tāqī Iran, Vol. 1, Tehran: Zamān.