Persian Designs and Motifs for Artists and Craftsmen

Ali Dowlatshahi

• Publisher: Dover Publications
• Year: 2012
• Print ISBN:
  9780486238159
• eBook ISBN:
  9780486146805
• Topic: Design
• Subtopic: Decorative Arts

Over the centuries, Persia (Iran) has borne the brunt of periodic invasions. Elements of these foreign cultures, including Greek, Arabic, Turkish, Mongolian, and European influences, were incorporated into the native artistic tradition but transmuted by Persian artists into a highly original and uniquely Iranian style. This outstanding collection of motifs comprises over 400 examples of this rich tradition, ready for use in a multitude of design areas.
Ranging from prehistoric pottery painting to 20th-century calligraphy, this volume spans the full spectrum of Iranian art, including the Achaemenian, Parthian, Sassanian, and Safavid eras. Included are designs drawn from textiles (weaves, printed fabrics, embroidery, carpets), ceramics (pottery and tile), carved and incised work (stucco, stone, metal), miscellaneous ornament, book illustration, and calligraphy.
The author, a native Iranian and well-known artist, has carefully rendered designs from original masterpieces in public and private collections around the world. The motifs include floral patterns, geometrics, arabesques, mythical creatures, rosettes, paisley patterns, palmettes, medallions, border and marginal decorations, scrolls, curves, and hunting scenes.
Embodying the sumptuous detail, rich texture, and elaborate ornamentation that constitute the glory of Persian art, these motifs also exemplify the Iranian artist's traditional devotion to symmetry, harmonious pattern, and purity of line and form.

Table of Contents

Title Page
INTRODUCTORY NOTE
Dedication
Copyright Page

Silk weave; 1612.

Sassanian compound twill; 6th century.

Animals from textiles of the Sassanian period.

Textile motifs from various periods.

Birds and flowers from textile designs.

Silk weave; 14th century.

Byzantine silk weave with Persian motif; 12th century.

Satin designs; 13th century.

Angels in Paradise surrounded by verses on the inevitability of death; compound-cloth motif; 12th century.

Another rendering of the preceding motif.

Medallion from a satin weave; 12th century.

Repeat pattern in the style of textile designs.

Palmette motif from a silk weave; Isfahan, 18th century.

Taffeta motif; Isfahan, 17th century.

Satin design; l7th century.

Satin design; l8th century.

Brocade motif; 18th century.

Brocade motif; Yezd, l7th century.

Brocade motif; 17th century.

Floral brocade motifs from taffetas; l7th century, from Kashan (top row) and Isfahan.

Silk weave; 17th century.

S...

Table of contents

• Title Page
• INTRODUCTORY NOTE
• Dedication
• Copyright Page
• Table of Contents