Artistic effects in tiling decorations of "Khan" School in Shiraz

Relative peace of country in the Safavid era under the centralized First Shah Abbas reign, led to construction works in big cities. According to recognition of Shia religion in this era, and as a result, existence of a need for educational facilities in order to promotion of this religion, school-building tradition was popularized in this era more than other eras. In this regard, many schools were established by scholars, elders and rulers in the cities. Gradually, impressive attention was paid to architectural decoration in both inner and outer spaces of schools. Tiling, brick work, Ma’qeli and Karbandi decorations, and etc. are among decorations existed in Iranian schools. Usage extent of the mentioned decorations has been different in different eras. Khan School in Shiraz is one of the most important schools constructed by the rulers of Shiraz, Allah-verdi khan and his son Emam-Qoli Khan in this era. This school possesses a unique luster with four-porch pattern, chambers in two floors, a long gate, and various decorations such as Mogharnas, mosaic and seven-colored tiling with distinguished motifs and colors. This building is significant enough that has been mentioned in almost all of historical references and tourists’ travelogues in different eras. This school is significant from the architecture and architectural decoration, especially tiling points of view; and according to professor Pirnia, it is one of the most perfect schools in Iran from the plan and architectural decorations point of view. One of the obvious characteristics in the tiling decoration of this building, is the existence of different motifs in various styles. In addition, tiling in this building has a quite different color comparing with tiling in Safavid era buildings. The other point is the impressive similarity of its converge ceiling tiling with dome ceiling tiling of Sheikh-Lotf-o-Allah mosque in Isfahan. According to the construction date of the building and variety in its motifs and colors used in tiling decoration, the following question will arise; “are these decorations related to Safavid era? Or they have joined the building during subsequent eras? Likewise, with which buildings do the motifs characteristics existed in tiling decoration of this building match? The main purpose of this study is, introduction, classification and checking the motifs existed in tiling decoration of Khan School of Shiraz. The approach of study is descriptive, comparative and data collection has been performed through field study and library method.
According to occurrence of several civil wars, earthquakes, gradual erosion of the building and nonconformity of correct repair principles, architectural decorations and even the building plan have been basically changed. Obtained results suggest that most content of architectural decorations in Khan School of Shiraz includes Qajar and contemporary seven-colored tiles with herbal, bestial, geometric motifs and Quranic inscriptions in hot colors which have gradually replaced the decorations of Safavid era. Remained decorations from Safavid era have been affected by important buildings such as: Sheikh-Lotf-o-Allah mosque and Imam mosque in Isfahan due to the construction concurrency with these significant buildings.