Genesis of the Polychrome Stucco in Iranian Architecture

Classification and Technical Exploration of The Relief and Low-Relief stucco’s decorations in Islamic Epoch

Key Words: Polychrome, Stucco, Iran, Historic architecture, Classification.

Highly prominant stucco decorations with high prominence, Nishapur, housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York​
Mosque of Ardestan, attributed to the Seljuk period, Isfahan, Iran.
Relief stucco Decorations Farumad Great Mosque, Ilkhanate period, Iran

The semi relief Plaster decorations. Haftshooyeh1Great Mosque, Isfahan, Ilkhanid period Source: Photo by Maliheh Boroumandi

The low-relief decorations known as 'Kashte-Bari', located in the western veranda on the fifth floor of the Ali Qapu Palace in Isfahan, belonging to the Safavid period.
One of the distinctive features of low-relief polychrome decorations (Koshte-Barri) in the architectural style of the Shahshahani House, Isfahan, during the Safavid period. Source: Photo by Maliheh Boroumand.
The ornaments known as “Shir-o-Shekar” Javaheri House, Ghajar Epoch, Isfahan. Photo by the author.
Tokhme Gozari’s stucco working, Saveh Great Mosque, Safavid epoch. Photo by the auther
Floral stucco studs executed in a applique method, Shamsiyeh School, Ilkhanate period, Yazd. Source: Auther
Floral stucco studs executed in a applique method, Shamsiyeh School, Ilkhanate period, Yazd. Source: Auther
Relief stucco decorations, Neishaboor Madrassa, attributed to the 12th centuries BC, National Museum of Iran.
Relief stucco decorations, Neishaboor Madrassa, attributed to the 12th centuries BC, National Museum of Iran.
A close-up view of the plaster coat stucco with ash impurities and the base coat plaster on a part of the relief stucco decorations, Mosque of Farivamad in Sabzevar, Ilkhanid period. Sourse:Auther
A close-up view of the plaster coat stucco with ash impurities and the base coat plaster on a part of the relief stucco decorations, Mosque of Farivamad in Sabzevar, Ilkhanid period. Sourse:Auther
Plaster coat decoration in the vicinity of the mihrab of the Jameh Mosque of Ardabil. Source: Author
Plaster coat decoration in the vicinity of the mihrab of the Jameh Mosque of Ardabil. Source: Author
The remnants of simple relief stucco designs, flat cuts, executed by incising lines around the pattern, Jameh Mosque of Gonabad. Sourse: Auther
The remnants of simple relief stucco designs, flat cuts, executed by incising lines around the pattern, Jameh Mosque of Gonabad. Sourse: Auther
Simple relief stucco decorations in Indigenous style, inclined cut method, Pamenar Mosque in Zavareh, Seljuk period. Sourse: Photo by Malih Boroumandi
Simple relief stucco decorations executed using an incised carving method on the surface of patterns, Jame Mosque in Gaz-e-Borkhar,Isfahan, attributed to the Ilkhanate period. Sourse: Photo by Malih Boroumandi
Simple raised gypsum decorations, flat incisions, incised lines around the patterns, Jameh Mosque of Saveh, Ilkhanid period. Sourse: Photo by Hesam Aslani

A close-up view of the elaborate stucco decorations with additional cutting and carving along the edges of the patterns using an inclined method is evident in the decorative border of the RascatTower in Mazandaran. This is attributed to the Ilkhanid period.

Elaborate and ‘canvas-like’ relief stucco ornamentation, Imamzadeh Ahmad, Isfahan, Qajar period. Sourse:photo by Author
Floral stucco studs executed in a applique method, Shamsiyeh School, Ilkhanate period, Yazd. Source: Auther
Elaborate and continuous relief stucco ornamentation, Kufic inscriptions on brick structure, PirBakran Shrine, Ilkhanid period.Sourse:photo by Soha Basiri
The plain and paint-style relief stucco ornamentation with deep base coat, House of Calligraphy, Isfahan, Gajar period. Sourse:photo by Author
The plain and paint-style relief stucco ornamentation with deep base coat, House of Calligraphy, Isfahan, Gajar period. Sourse:photo by Author
The elaborate ‘canvas-like’ gypsum belonging to the Sultanieh Dome in Zanjan, Sourse: photo by Hesam Aslani.
The elaborate ‘canvas-like’ gypsum belonging to the Sultanieh Dome in Zanjan, Sourse: photo by Hesam Aslani.
The relief, elaborate relief-style stucco decorations executed in a ‘canvas-like’ with a hollow effect, discovered in Rey, dating back to the 12th and 13th centuries. Found in the National Museum of Iran, inventory number 3267
The relief ‘canvas-like’ stucco piece adorned with human motifs and ornate arabesques embellished with vegetal patterns, executed in the ‘canvas-like’ technique and shallow, dating back to the Seljuk period. Currently housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City.
The section of elaborately carved relief ‘canvas-like’ stucco working with a hollowed background, from the northern Ivan of the Jameh Mosque of Isfahan, dating back to the Ilkhanid period. Sourse: Maliheh Boroumandi
The section of elaborately carved relief ‘canvas-like’ stucco working with a hollowed background, from the northern Ivan of the Jameh Mosque of Isfahan, dating back to the Ilkhanid period. Sourse: Maliheh Boroumandi
The part of elaborate carved relief ‘canvas-like’ stucco working with a hollowed background, from the side margin of the mihrab in the Jameh Mosque of Urmia, dating back to the Ilkhanid period. Source: Author
The part of elaborate carved relief ‘canvas-like’ Stucco decorations with shallow ground base, Farafan Mosque's mihrab, Ilkhanid period. The right side: The nearby view shows how the cuts were made for the shallow grounding and the patterns.
The part of elaborate carved relief ‘canvas-like’ Stucco decorations with shallow ground base, Farafan Mosque's mihrab, Ilkhanid period. The right side: The nearby view shows how the cuts were made for the shallow grounding and the patterns.
The relief ‘canvas-like’, elaborated flat ornaments in the stucco working of Bayazid, Bastam’s Kufic script inscription’s. Source: photo by Hesam Aslani
The relief ‘canvas-like’, elaborated flat ornaments in the stucco working of Bayazid, Bastam’s Kufic script inscription’s. Source: photo by Hesam Aslani
The relief ‘canvas-like’ elaborated flat ornaments in the stucco of Jame mosque, Farumad, Sabzevar. Source: photo by Hesam Aslani
The relief ‘canvas-like’ elaborated flat ornaments in the stucco of Jame mosque, Farumad, Sabzevar. Source: photo by Hesam Aslani
The relief ‘canvas-like’ elaborated stucco ornaments which is in binary (flat and shallow both) technique, the northern iwan of Jameh mosque, Oshtorjan . Source: Author
The relief ‘canvas-like’ elaborated stucco ornaments which is in binary (flat and shallow both) technique, the northern iwan of Jameh mosque, Oshtorjan . Source: Author
The relief ‘canvas-like’ elaborated flat ornaments in the stucco of the Mihrab of Jameh Mosque in Maraghe. Source: photo by Malih Boroumand.
The relief ‘canvas-like’ elaborated flat ornaments in the stucco of the Mihrab of Jameh Mosque in Maraghe. Source: photo by Malih Boroumand.
Plaster coat decoration in the vicinity of the mihrab of the Jameh Mosque of Ardabil. Source: Author
The relief elaborate decorated canvas-like stucco in a dual (plain and patterned) in a flat style with the small lace-like patterns, in the middle section of the mihrab of Oljaytu's mosque in Isfahan, dating back to the Ilkhanid period. Source:Auther
The relief elaborate decorated canvas-like stucco in a dual (plain and patterned) in a flat style with the small lace-like patterns, in the middle section of the mihrab of Oljaytu's mosque in Isfahan, dating back to the Ilkhanid period. Source:Auther
Part of the relief and elaborate stucco decorations in a canvas-like ornaments which has executed in a stratified ‘Single-coat- stucco’ manner, Mihrab Ilkhanid of Jame Mosque in Saveh. Source: photo by Maliheh Borumand.
Part of the relief and elaborate stucco decorations in a canvas-like ornaments which has executed in a stratified ‘Single-coat- stucco’ manner, Mihrab Ilkhanid of Jame Mosque in Saveh. Source: photo by Maliheh Borumand.
Part of the relief inscription in a stratified ‘Single-coat- stucco’ manner of the Mihrab in the Jameh Mosque of Farumad, Sabzevar. Source: Photo by Iman Peimani
Part of the relief inscription in a stratified ‘Single-coat- stucco’ manner of the Mihrab in the Jameh Mosque of Farumad, Sabzevar. Source: Photo by Iman Peimani
Part of the relief and elaborate stucco decorations in a canvas-like ornaments which has executed in a stratified ‘Single-coat- stucco’ manner, Ilkhanid decorations of Jame Mosque in Oshtorjan. Source: Autho
Part of the relief and elaborate stucco decorations in a canvas-like ornaments which has executed in a stratified ‘Single-coat- stucco’ manner, Ilkhanid decorations of Jame Mosque in Oshtorjan. Source: Autho
Part of the relief and elaborate stucco decorations in a canvas-like ornaments which has executed in a stratified Single-piece- stucco manner, Ilkhanid decorations of the lintel and portal spandrel of Pir -Bakran Shrine's entrance.
Elaborate and ‘canvas-like’ relief stucco ornamentation, Imamzadeh Ahmad, Isfahan, Qajar period. Sourse:photo by Author
Floral stucco studs executed in a applique method, Shamsiyeh School, Ilkhanate period, Yazd. Source: Auther
Right picture: Part of the relief and elaborate stucco decorations in a canvas-like ornaments which has executed in a stratified ‘double-coat- stucco’ manner, Jame Mosque, Ardestan . Left picture: The close-up view of the raised stucco facade executed in the "two-coat" method, exhibits a uniform layer of surface stucco, and reveals the smooth base layer of stucco with underlying patterns which has been determined in a red circle. Part of Mihrab’s ornaments in Jame Mosque, Ardestan.
Right picture: Part of the relief and elaborate stucco decorations in a canvas-like ornaments which has executed in a stratified ‘double-coat- stucco’ manner, Jame Mosque, Ardestan . Left picture: The close-up view of the raised stucco facade executed in the "two-coat" method, exhibits a uniform layer of surface stucco, and reveals the smooth base layer of stucco with underlying patterns which has been determined in a red circle. Part of Mihrab’s ornaments in Jame Mosque, Ardestan.
The relief and elaborate stucco decorations in a canvas-like ornaments which has executed in a stratified ‘double-coat- stucco’ manner, Gaar Mosque, East of Isfahan. Source: Auther
The relief and elaborate stucco decorations in a canvas-like ornaments which has executed in a stratified ‘double-coat- stucco’ manner, Gaar Mosque, East of Isfahan. Source: Auther
The number and different stages of executing the base layers can be traced by examining the separation and shedding of stucco layers on the surface,as observed in specific areas of the depicted. The relief and elaborate stucco decorations in a canvas-like ornaments which has executed in a stratified ‘triple-coat- stucco’ manner, the middle part of Mihrab in Jame Mosque, Oshtorjan. Source: Author
The number and different stages of executing the base layers can be traced by examining the separation and shedding of stucco layers on the surface,as observed in specific areas of the depicted. The relief and elaborate stucco decorations in a canvas-like ornaments which has executed in a stratified ‘triple-coat- stucco’ manner, the middle part of Mihrab in Jame Mosque, Oshtorjan. Source: Author
Part of the relief and elaborate stucco decorations in a canvas-like ornaments which has executed in a stratified double-coat- stucco manner, Ilkhanid decorations, Alavian dome in Hamadan. Source: Auther
Part of the relief and elaborate stucco decorations in a canvas-like ornaments which has executed in a stratified double-coat- stucco manner, Ilkhanid decorations, Alavian dome in Hamadan. Source: Auther
The relief and elaborate stucco decorations in a canvas-like ornaments which has executed in a stratified ‘double-coat- stucco’ manner, the eastern Iwan’s Mihrab in Jame Mosque, Abarghu Source: www.archnet.org/digital library.
The relief and elaborate stucco decorations in a canvas-like ornaments which has executed in a stratified ‘double-coat- stucco’ manner, the top part of Mihrab’s in Pir-Bakran Shrine. Source: photo by Maliheh Boroumand
The relief and elaborate stucco decorations in a canvas-like ornaments which has executed in a stratified ‘double-coat- stucco’ manner, the top part of Mihrab’s in Pir-Bakran Shrine. Source: photo by Maliheh Boroumand
The two sections delineated by red-dotted arrows indicate the underlying base layer. One layer comprises the complete background pattern volume in the lowest tier of decorations, while the other underlying layer represents the more prominent raised patterns in the second tier of decorations The relief and elaborate stucco decorations in a canvas-like ornaments which has executed in a stratified ‘triple-coat- stucco’ manner, the Mihrab of Oljaytu in the Jameh Mosque of Isfahan. Source: Author
The two sections delineated by red-dotted arrows indicate the underlying base layer. One layer comprises the complete background pattern volume in the lowest tier of decorations, while the other underlying layer represents the more prominent raised patterns in the second tier of decorations The relief and elaborate stucco decorations in a canvas-like ornaments which has executed in a stratified ‘triple-coat- stucco’ manner, the Mihrab of Oljaytu in the Jameh Mosque of Isfahan. Source: Author
The close-up view of the relief stucco facade executed in the "double-coat" method, featuring the separation of the surface stucco layer and the appearance of the boundary between the surface stucco background and the smooth base layer with underlying patterns, is evident with the red-marks’, Aliyan Dome, Hamedan. Source: Author
The close-up view of the relief stucco facade executed in the "double-coat" method, featuring the separation of the surface stucco layer and the appearance of the boundary between the surface stucco background and the smooth base layer with underlying patterns, is evident with the red-marks’, Aliyan Dome, Hamedan. Source: Author
The close-up view of the intricate stucco, Ajdehkaari, in the ’scratch-style, can be observed in the Jameh Mosque of Isfahan, dating back to the Ilkhanid period. Source: Author.
The close-up view of the intricate stucco, Ajdehkaari, in the ’scratch-style, can be observed in the Jameh Mosque of Isfahan, dating back to the Ilkhanid period. Source: Author.
The close-up view of the intricate stucco, Ajdehkaari , in the ’scratch-style, Kolahdooz House, Yazd, Qajar epoch. Source: Author.
The close-up view of the intricate stucco, Ajdehkaari , in the ’scratch-style, Kolahdooz House, Yazd, Qajar epoch. Source: Author.
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