Stylistics and features of Ilkhanid Muqarnas decoratiions

Ilkhanid period is particularly important in the history of Muqarnas decoration, because of its unique features and the formal arrival of plenty of Far East art components that were not previously experienced in the Iranian Islamic art,. Muqarnas decoration drastically developed during this period as innovative technical and decorative methods appeared. This paper studies some innovations of Ilkhanid Muqarnas decoration in four typical Ilkhanid buildings including Jami Mosque of Oshtorjan Jami Mosque of varamin، Sheikh Abdossamad complex in Natanz and Bayazid complex in Bastam. Towards this end, the study has attempted to examine the traits and inspirational resources of Muqarnas designs during this special period. The findings of the study show that Ilkhanid Muqarnas designs have been made under the influence of china’s art specially in cases of naturalism (butterfly and Spider web designs) and application components of china’s designs (as dragon). Amongst the most prominent decorative motifs that were common with the impact of Chinese art in the Ilkhanid era is dragon that is often displayed on pieces of colored tiles in non-religious buildings. As a rule, the use of animal motifs in religious buildings such as mosques and tombs regarding to the prohibition of the use of these designs was impossible, thus Iranian artists used those types of designs that matches with the spirit of Islamic Art. Plant motifs influenced by the movements of the dragon can be considered as the pioneers of new Islamic arabesques in the field. In other words, Iranian Muslim artists of Ilkhanid period have been able to bridge between the designs of Islamic architectural decorations and decorative motifs of Chinese arts. Research objectives: 1. Understanding the innovations of Ilkhanid Muqarnas decoratiions In the field of form and especially design of motifs 2. Identifying the potential sources of innovations of Ilkhanid Muqarnas decorations.  Research Questions: 1. What are the most important innovations of the of Ilkhanid Muqarnas decorations in terms of form and in particular the design of motifs? 2. What are the most important sources or potential sources of inspiration for the Ilkhanid Muqarnas decorations?