Archives for posts with tag: Iran
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The complex geometry behind Islamic Architectural Design

By Quintin Lake
June 7, 2015 //
1

I’ve spent much time in the Islamic world photographing the masterpieces of Islamic Architecture so its fascinating to see this simple and concise explanation of the geometry behind the seemingly infinitely complex designs such as these from Iran below.

Detail view of khanqah portal; muqarnas semi-dome, Shaykh 'Abd al-Samad Mosque, Natanz, Iran.

Detail view of khanqah portal; muqarnas semi-dome, Shaykh ‘Abd al-Samad Mosque, Natanz, Iran.

Interior of Dome of Sheikh Lotf Allah Mosque, Naghsh-i Jahan Square, Isfahan, Iran. Built 1603 -1618. Architect: Shaykh Bahai

Interior of Dome of Sheikh Lotf Allah Mosque, Naghsh-i Jahan Square, Isfahan, Iran. Built 1603 -1618. Architect: Shaykh Bahai

Dome of the main sanctuary. Imam Mosque (Masjed-e Imam), is a mosque in Isfahan, Iran standing in south side of Naghsh-i Jahan Square. Built 1611 - 1629. Architect: Shaykh Bahai

Dome of the main sanctuary. Imam Mosque (Masjed-e Imam), is a mosque in Isfahan, Iran standing in south side of Naghsh-i Jahan Square. Built 1611 – 1629. Architect: Shaykh Bahai

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Categories Architectural Photography, Delight, Photography, Travel Photography

The beauty of Iranian Symmetry

By Quintin Lake
August 15, 2012 //
49

Interior of Octagonal Pavilion Tomb of the Sheikh Abdolsamad, Natanz, Iran.

Dome of the main sanctuary. Imam Mosque (Masjed-e Imam), is a mosque in Isfahan, Iran standing in south side of Naghsh-i Jahan Square. Built 1611 – 1629. Architect: Shaykh Bahai

Detail view of khanqah portal; muqarnas semi-dome, Shaykh ‘Abd al-Samad Mosque, Natanz, Iran.

Ceramic tiles ceiling decorating a vault at Nasir al-Mulk Mosque, (aka the Pink Mosque) Shiraz, Iran. Built 1876 -1888. Architects: Muhammad Hasan-e-Memar and Muhammad Reza Kashi Paz-e-Shirazi.

Mirrored muqarnas (decorative corbel) in the Hall of Diamonds (Talar-e Almas) in the Golestan Palace, Tehran. It is called Hall of Diamonds because of the exceptional mirror work inside the building. The construction of this hall dates to the time of Fath Ali Shah (circa1806). Tehran, Iran

South Iwan, entrance to main sanctuary. Imam Mosque (Masjed-e Imam), is a mosque in Isfahan, Iran standing in south side of Naghsh-i Jahan Square. Built 1611 – 1629. Architect: Shaykh Bahai

Muqarnas (decorative corbel) Jameh Mosque aka The Congregational Mosque of Isfahan built from 771 to the end of the 20th century. Isfahan, Iran

North iwan coverd in polychromatic tiles. Imam Mosque (Masjed-e Imam), is a mosque in Isfahan, Iran standing in south side of Naghsh-i Jahan Square. Built 1611 – 1629. Architect: Shaykh Bahai

Interior of Dome of Sheikh Lotf Allah Mosque, Naghsh-i Jahan Square, Isfahan, Iran. Built 1603 -1618. Architect: Shaykh Bahai

Ceramic tiles ceiling decorating a vault at Nasir al-Mulk Mosque, (aka the Pink Mosque) Shiraz, Iran. Built 1876 -1888. Architects: Muhammad Hasan-e-Memar and Muhammad Reza Kashi Paz-e-Shirazi.

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Categories Architectural Photography, Documentary Photography, Photography, Travel Photography

Glimpses of Iran

By Quintin Lake
August 15, 2012 //
229

An Iranian girl looks out from the trunk of Sarv-e Abar-Kuh “cypress of Abar-Kuh”, also called the Zoroastrian Sarv, is a Cupressus sempervirens tree in Abarkuh, Yazd Iran. It is estimated to be over four thousand years old and may be the oldest living thing in Asia.

A lady wearing a chador posing for a photo at Persepolis. Persepolis was the ceremonial capital of the Persian Empire (550-330 BC) during the Achaemenid dynasty. Persepolis, Iran

A girl at the window of The Arg (Citadel) of Karim Khan, Shiraz, Iran

A woman wearing a chador walks past the blue tile work of the the Jameh Mosque of Yazd, Iran

Baker taking bread out of his tandoor oven at his bakery in Yazd, Iran

A woman passes in front of a  badgir, the Iranian term for wind tower. These chimney-like structures, which project above the roof, expel warm air during the day and trap cooler breezes at night. Yazd.

Edit: I’m honoured and delighted that this post is featured in Freshly Pressed. Thanks for all your likes and comments and follow my Facebook Page to see my latest work and keep in touch!

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Categories Documentary Photography, Photography, Travel Photography

Sheikh Lotf Allah Mosque, Isfahan

By Quintin Lake
July 15, 2012 //
1

Interior Dome of Sheikh Lotf Allah Mosque, Naghsh-i Jahan Square, Isfahan, Iran.

Sheikh Lotfallah Mosque was completed in 1619 after nearly 20 years of construction by Architect Shaykh Bahai. Today, the mosque stands as a magnificent and detailed public work. However, when it was originally built it was a private and luxurious place of worship for Shah Abbas I and the women of his court.

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Categories Architectural Photography, Documentary Photography, Photography, Travel Photography

Pink Mosque (Nasir al-Mulk), Shiraz, Iran

By Quintin Lake
July 14, 2012 //
8

North Iwan at Nasir al-Mulk Mosque, (aka the Pink Mosque) Shiraz, Iran

Ceramic tiles ceiling decorating a muqarnas vault at Nasir al-Mulk Mosque,

Glazed tile Inscription dating from the 19th century in the northern iwan (semiopen.space on the edge of a courtyard wall), Nasir-al-Mulk Mosque. Flexible timber, visible poking out of the wall at the top of the image, is used for earthquake resistance. The text is from Al Imran, the 3rd chapter of the Koran

Ceramic tiles ceiling decorating a vault at Nasir al-Mulk Mosque

Detail of muqarnas at  Nasir al-Mulk Mosque, (aka the Pink Mosque) Shiraz, Iran.

Decorated tiled islamic inscription at Nasir al-Mulk Mosque

Nasir al-Mulk Mosque, (aka the Pink Mosque) Shiraz, Iran

Nasir al-Mulk Mosque, (aka the Pink Mosque) Shiraz, Iran is unique and delightful for the widespread use of pink tiling in the decoration. Built 1876 -1888. Architects: Muhammad Hasan-e-Memar and Muhammad Reza Kashi Paz-e-Shirazi.

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Categories Architectural Photography, Documentary Photography, Photography, Travel Photography

Imam Mosque, Isfahan

By Quintin Lake
July 12, 2012 //
5

South Iwan, entrance to main sanctuary. Imam Mosque (Masjed-e Imam), Isfahan, Iran

Dome of the main sanctuary. Imam Mosque, Isfahan, Iran

Courtyard of the Imam Mosque, Isfahan, Iran

North iwan coverd in polychromatic tiles. Imam Mosque, Isfahan, Iran

West iwan. Imam Mosque, Isfahan, Iran

Dome of the main sanctuary. Imam Mosque, Isfahan, Iran

Built during the Safavid period between 1611 to 1629 by architect Shaykh Baha, the Imam Mosque of Isfahan it is an excellent example of Islamic architecture of Iran, and regarded as one of the masterpieces of Persian Architecture.  It is registered, along with the Naghsh-i Jahan Square, as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Although the Imam mosque is massive and initially impressive, in my view the neighbouring Sheikh Lotf Allah Mosque and the Jameh Mosque of Isfahan are of greater scuptural subtlety and sublime geometrical beauty.

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Categories Architectural Photography, Documentary Photography, Photography, Travel Photography

Abdolsamad Tomb & Mosque, Natanz, Iran

By Quintin Lake
July 11, 2012 //
1

Interior of Octagonal Pavilion Tomb of the Sheikh Abdolsamad, Natanz, Iran.

Detail view of khanqah portal; muqarnas semi-dome, Shaykh ‘Abd al-Samad Mosque, Natanz, Iran.

Portal of Abd-al-Samad-tomb

Facade of Shaykh ‘Abd al-Samad Mosque

Detail of mosaic tiling

Natanz gets in the news as the location of Iran’s nuclear facility but much more interesting is the beautiful Abdolsamad Tomb & Mosque. This is a large funerary complex which has grown up organically around the tomb of Abd al-Samad, a follower of the famous Sufi saint Abu Said who died in 1049. The central feature of the site is the octagonal tomb around which is built a four-iwan congregational mosque dated to 1309. Internally the tomb is a cruciform chamber which is converted to an octagon at roof level. The roof is a blue-tiled octagonal pyramid dome outside and internally comprises a tall muqarnas vault.

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Categories Architectural Photography, Delight, Documentary Photography, Photography, Travel Photography

His & Hers Door Knockers, Yazd, Iran

By Quintin Lake
July 11, 2012 //
3

His and hers door knockers, Yazd, Iran. The masculine door knocker is rigid and heavy that makes a strong sound. People inside the house wil be informed that a man is behind the door. The feminine door knocker is curly and ring like and makes a lighter sound. It informs the people inside the house that a woman is behind the door. This system is in place due to the Islamic custom that women should be private from men except their intimate ones.

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Categories Architectural Photography, Documentary Photography, Photography, Travel Photography
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