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Design
The structure is the first and greatest surviving Persian monument of the fifteenth century, now abutting the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad. Its portals continue the Samarkand style of arch within arch, enriched by a succession of bevels and reveals that give it depth and power.
The thick, tower like minarets, merging with the outer corners of the portal screen, extend the ground and, together with the high foundation revetment of marble, give the ensemble the impression of solidity necessary to support its exuberant color.
The entire court facade is faced with enamel brick and mosaic faience of the finest quality. The full sacle of colors includes a dominant cobalt blue and turquoise, white, a transparent green, yellow, saffron, aubergine and mirror black-all tones fluctuating through several shades. The patterns, lucid and vigorous, are artfully adapted to their decorative role, whether for eye level panels, or dome ornament meant to be effective at a thousand feet. Monotony is avoided by the energy of the faience floral patterns and brick geometrical schemes; by the emphatic rhythm of the arcades, open galleries and deep recesses; and especially by the striking contrast of the iwans. The Sanctuary iwan is in pure white, while in the other three iwans the ground color of the vault is pale red, carrying large white-outlined kufic inscriptions of light turquoise that appear green against the reddish ground. The whole decor is interlaced with an unusual amount of white, which adds clarity and excitement to the total effect.
In the words of Robert Byron:
- "It needs no acquaintance with other styles to acclaim this court, among the buildings now existing, as the most beautiful example of color in architecture ever devised."
References
- Arthur Upham Pope, "Persian Architecture, the Triumph of form & colour", New York, 1965.
See also
External links
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