A Comparative Study of Motifs in Four Ilkhanid Mihrabs in Isfahan Province (Pirbakran Mausoleum, Oshtorjan Mosque, Haftshuyeh Mosque and Oljaito)

Molded motifs in Ilkhanid mihrabs are masterpieces of design and implementation. The aim of this study is to describe, analyze and compare the Oljaitu mihrab, Pirbakran mausoleum mihrab, Oshtorjan mosque mihrab and Haftshouyeh mosque mihrab in terms of plants and geometric motifs, proportions, structure and geometric relationships in a descriptive-analytic manner. Identification and comparison of the four aforementioned mihrabs have not been studied so far. This work tries to answer the following questions: 1)What are the types of motifs used in these mihrabs ?2)What are the visual and aesthetic values of motifs in these mihrabs ?3)Which motifs were used mostly on these mihrabs? 4)What are the similarities and differences between the motifs of the four aforementioned mihrabs? In most of studies in the literature, general description of the mihrabs and date of construction have been considered but the decorative motifs, golden ratios, structure and geometric relationships have not been investigated. This comparative study reveals similarities and differences of the motifs and their features used in this course. The results of this study indicate that the general form of the mihrabs as well as most of their motifs have special structure and geometric relationships and are designed based on the golden ratio. The molded motifs of the mentioned mihrabs have been implemented with thickness and intricacy, with the exception of Oljaito mihrab in which the motifs are less prominent and more elegant. Various kinds of arabesque have been also used in this era. Repetition and symmetry creates rhythm, movement and coordination in the motifs. Considering the mihrab motifs together, we can find out the development and evolution from a simple basic pattern to the more complex designs.