2. The Asian civilizations of India, China, Korea, and Japan each have a rich history of design development extending back for
thousands of years.
Islamic design is a somewhat different matter, because it is defined by religious concerns and a wide cultural
influence rather than geography. Also, its history is relatively short, beginning only after the death of the prophet Mohammed around
632 c.e., and can be studied in areas such as Spain and Portugal in the West,
and in India and many other locations in North Africa, Asia, and the Near East.
CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES :
-A marked characteristic of Islamic design is the avoidance of any depiction of human, animal, or plant forms as elements of design
or decoration, as required by the teaching of the Quran.
This necessity compelled the development of a vocabulary of surface ornament of purely geometric character in a combination
of calligraphic elements using text from the Quran or other religious works.
**NOTE : MORE CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES ARE EXPLAINED IN THE OTHER PDF SHARED!!
3. Characteristics of a mosque :
The key structure in any Islamic community
was the Mosque. Unlike the temples and
churches of other religions, the mosque is not a
“house of God” but rather a prayer hall, where
the faithful assemble to pray, facing toward
Mecca, and to hear readings from the Quran.
Although mosques vary greatly in design and in
size, they share certain characteristics.
-The enclosed portion of the mosque is
sometimes partly an open space but is also
often columned, forming long aisles.
-A small niche on one wall is the Mihrab
marking the direction to face toward Mecca.
-Another usual element is a Mimbar or pulpit
for preaching and Quran readings.
-There is often an open court in front of the
mosque proper, with a pool or fountain for the
washing called for by Muslim practice before
entering the mosque itself.
-A tower (or sometimes several towers) related
to the mosque is known as a Minaret. It has a
specific function as a high point from which a
call to prayer can be made to summon
worshipers to the mosque several times each
day.
4. Patterns developed in carved stone and in plaster,
and, through the use of decorative tile, are often
extremely elaborate and rich, with blue, green, gold,
and white used extensively in a way that off-sets any
sense of austerity
5. Islamic Furnishings
Furniture was little used in Islamic interiors. Low benches or couches were generally covered by textiles, carpets,
and rugs.
