A comparative study of the motif of the five-petal flowers in the decoration of the magnificent palaces of Ali Qapu and Chehel Sotun in Isfahan

Five-petal flower is one of the most used decorative signs in Iranian buildings. Ali Qapu palace and Chehel Sotun palace are two of the buildings which five-petal flowers are used in them in tremendous numbers. Diversity, beauty, production and methods of implementation are considerable in these palaces. The purpose of this study is to examine the characteristics and distinguishable features of this motif and its development in these two palaces considering their form, techniques of implementation, and coloring.Therefore, the research question is: What are the similarities and differences among the visual and technical features of the five-petal flower motif in these two palaces? The research method is descriptive-comparative. Data collection has been done through field research, analysis of written documents, and direct observation. The research results show that the use of five-feathered flowers in the two buildings under investigation is important and according to their initial form, they seem to have followed a single pattern. At Chehel sotun Palace special techniques such as: Naturalism, construction, and elegance were used in the design, pattern, and execution. In addition, painting and gilding have also been used widely. But in the Ali Qapu Palace, due to the limited color, variety in technique, execution and size has been seen more.