Modularity and Hierarchy in Persian Geometric Ornament

Abstract

We survey 40 examples of 2-level patterns in Islamic geometric ornament from Iran and Central Asia, and identify a range of methods that can be used to explain their construction. Techniques based on modular design are shown to simplify the process. Each 2-level pattern is listed in a catalogue that gives the location, construction method, pattern type of the large and small-scale patterns, and references to photographs and other literature. We also show that a tympanum pattern in the Darb-i Imam in Isfahan is constructed by filling compartments and not by subdividing modules, as has been previously suggested. None of the medieval patterns in the catalogue is quasiperiodic.