Introducing and Reviewing the Decorative Features of the Mihrab of the Great Mosque of Saveh in Arak Chaharfasl Museum

The Great Mosque of Saveh, which was renovated and decorated in the past centuries, has several stuccoedmihrabs of different periods of history, decorated with beautiful inscriptions and plant and geometric designs. Oneof the stuccoed mihrabs of this Seljuk mosque, held now at the Arak Chaharfasl Museum, has valuable art featuresthat are less well-known and discussed. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to introduce the decorations of thisstuccoed mihrab of the Mosque of Saveh and to carefully study the motifs in order to preserve and restore thesedecorations. To achieve this goal, the main question of this research is posed as follows: What are different typesof decorations of the stuccoed mihrab of this mosque (held in Arak Chaharfasl Museum) and in which parts ofthis mihrab, each motif is implemented? In this research, historical and descriptive method is used and data hasbeen collected based on written sources and field studies. The results of this research show that in addition to theinscriptions which have a relatively large volume of the mihrab space, such as the margins of the mihrab, aroundthe blind arcade, and the upper and lower margin of the demi-columns, the arabesque along with the Cathay motifs(flowers and leaves) also have a major contribution to the adornment of the interior of the blind arcades, the narrowand wide edges and the background inscription on the margin of the mihrab. In addition, geometric patterns(nodes) are also used on the demi-columns and the pendentive of the first blind arcade, which have added to thevariety of decorations.