Ap Art History , Islamic Art and Architecture Terms

Tomb Tower

Muqarnas

a form of ornamented vaulting in Islamic architecture, stalactite or honeycomb decoration

Muqarnas dome

Inscription zone

...

Epigraphy

Epigraphy is the study of inscriptions or epigraphs as writing

Minbar

A minbar is a pulpit in the mosque where the imam stands to deliver sermons or in the Hussainia where the speaker sits and lectures the congregation

Spolia

using old materials for new construction

Voussoirs

a wedge-shaped or tapered stone used to construct an arch

Tile Mosaic

Horror vacui

istaste for leaving undecorated fields of space

Aniconic

Aniconism is the absence of material representations of the natural and supernatural world in various cultures

Arabesque

The arabesque is a form of artistic decoration consisting of "surface decorations based on rhythmic linear patterns of scrolling and interlacing foliage, tendrils

Arcade/ pier arcade

round arch

Keel arch ( pointed)

pointed arch

Horseshoe arch (Cordoba)

Calligraphy (muhaqqaq,kufic)

handwriting

Surahs

a term for a chapter of the Qur'an

Hypostyle mosque

a roof supported by multiple pillars

Four-iwan mosque

vaulted rectangular recesses opening onto a courtyard

Centrally planned mosque: Hagia Sophia

Chevrons, rosettes (Palace of Mshatta)

flowers

Circumambulation

walking around a temple or holy site

Mosque

prayer hall

Mihrab

niche marking the direction of prayer,

Madrasa

theological school

Qibla

mosque wall facing Mecca

Merlon

cresting ornament on roofline

Maqsura

bay of space in front of mihrab in some mosques like Cordoba, used by a ruler for purposes of protection and status

Minaret

a slender tower, typically part of a mosque, with a balcony from which a muezzin calls Muslims to prayer.

Tile work mosaic

pieces of glazed ceramic tile fit into patterns

Spandrel

shoulder of an arch

Squelch

a bridge-like element converting a square to an octagon

stucco work

ornamental plasterwork ( carved)

Kaaba

meteoritic stone in Mecca, a building at the center of Islam's most sacred mosque

Fa�ade

the principal front of a building, that faces on to a street or open space

Ablution fountain

An ablution fountain is typically located in the center of a mosque's courtyard. is where Muslims perform a ritual washing before entering the mosque

Roman Arch order

doric ionic corinthian