The Study of the Plant and Geometric Decorations of the Stuccoed Mihrabs of the Tomb of Torbat-e Sheikh-e Jam

Since the eighth century AH, some exquisite works of plastering has remained, some of which are autographed and dated. These stucco decorations are mostly seen in exquisite mihrabs, mosque slabs and gypsum inscriptions, tombs, etc. Among these examples, one can mention two stuccoed mihrabs and one altar in the tomb of Sheikh Ahmad Jami in Torbat-e Jam. Therefore, the goal of this research is to briefly provide visual documentation and enumerate the visual features of these works in terms of their composition and dominant motifs. Therefore, the main question of this research can be posed as follows: What are the most important artistic features in the plant and geometric decorations of the stuccoed mihrabs of Sheikh-e Jam’s tomb (Kermani Mosque)? The data was collected mostly by implementing field research (photography) as well as referring to some written sources, based on a descriptive-historical method. The results of the study show the diversity of plant motifs- arabesque and cathayand in particular their unique decorations (using geometric ajedeh-kari, tear forms, hatching), the use of multi-level compositions and application of elegant plant stems in the arabesque background, using geometric decorations in the margins. A combination of this group of decorations with plant designs are among the most prominent features of plant and geometric decorations in the aforementioned stuccoed mihrabs.