Splendors of Islam: Architecture, Decoration and Design

Splendors of Islam: Architecture, Decoration and Design

"Rather than limiting itself to an exclusively historical or chronological perspective, Ornament and Decoration in Islamic Architecture presents four successive approaches to its subject. The first part offers an overview of Islamic architecture, discussing the great diversity it contains. Dealing exclusively with techniques, the second part considers the materials most often used as well as the expertise of the builders and Muslim decorative artists, and the third part explores themes in Islamic ornamentation. Section four discusses aesthetics, and studies the relationship between the buildings - the structures or their architectonic components - and their ornamental coverings." "Each of these topics is presented through a number of outstanding examples and then through comparable monuments from all over the Islamic world. For anyone in thrall to such great wonders as the Taj Mahal and the Alhambra, and for everyone interested in the world of Islam, this lavish publication will be indispensable."--Jacket.

Dominique Clévenot

New York : Vendome Press : Distributed in the USA and Canada by Rizzoli International Publications through St. Martin's Press

Photographs by Gérard Degeorge

Variation and unity (The dome of the rock -- The Alhambra -- The Shah Mosque -- The Taj Mahal -- Principal monuments : The Arab world; The Turkish world; Iran and Central Asia; The Indian world) -- Techniques : knowledge and know-how (mosaic -- stucco -- brick -- ceramic -- Other techniques : bronze; wood; painted wood) -- Ornamental motifs (The figure -- Plant forms -- Geometry -- Calligraphy -- Additional motifs : the figure; plant forms; geometry) -- A surface art (The logic of textures -- The articulation of surfaces -- Supporting forms and supported forms -- Aesthetics of the veil -- Architectural space : arches; cupolas; columns and capitals; patterns of light) -- Appendixes (Map : major sites of Islamic architectural ornamentation -- Chronology : principal Islamic dynasties -- Glossary -- Index of the monuments).

Book