The Investigation of Features and Methods of Using “Tongborie” Decoration in Architectural Works of Safavid Iran and Mughal India

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

1 M.A. in Handcrafts, Applied Art Faculty, University of Art, Tehran, Iran.

2 Associate Professor, Department of HandCrafts, Applied Art Faculty, University of Art, Tehran, Iran.

3 Assistant Professor, Department of Architecture, University of Zanjan, Iran

Abstract

Problem statement: “Tongborie” is one of the dependent elements of architecture in the Safavid Iran and Mughal India eras. Safavids and Mughals cultural and political relations have had a significant role in art influence between two countries so that many arts including Tongborie decorative art which is known as “Chini-khana” in India has gained popularity because of these relations. The main statement of this study is investigating these works in terms of form and application in the architecture of the Safavid Iran and Mughal India eras. This study determines different attitudes of artists in the application of these patterns in the monuments of two lands by investigating form features, patterns, and Tongborie application techniques.
Research objective: The main objective of this study is to investigate how cultural relations between Safavid  Iran and Mughal India influence the evolution of Tongborie objects, the recognition of form features, and the use of these designs in monuments of two countries. The secondary aim is to use of resulted knowledge in designing jewelry and handcrafts which has not been addressed in this article.
Research method: The present study has been based on historical findings analysis and description of patterns based on theoretical and visual knowledge and data collection methods including a field survey of monuments, study of internal and external creditable sources, and obtaining knowledge from experts.
Conclusion: This study shows that the decorative element of Chini-khana has entered Indian art under influence of Iran Tongbories and can be categorized into three general forms “Altar”, “Container”, and “Epigraph” Techniques and materials used in Iranian and Indian models have had differences. Iranian Tongbories have been used in interiors with more variety of forms. In contrast, extent models in India have had a variety in mason techniques and have often been used in the landscaping of external surfaces.

Keywords

References

Ahmadi, Z. (2017). Ta’sir-e me’mari-ye eslami-ye Iran bar me’mari-ye dore-ye gurkaniane hendustan [The Impact of Iran Islamic Architecture on Mughal Period Architecture]. The Fifth International Congress on Civil Engineering, Architecture and Urban Development, Tehran, Iran.
Alfieri, B. (2000). Islamic Architecture of the Indian Subcontinent. London: Laurence King.
Amirhajloo, P. & Amirhajloo, S. (2017). Ham-neshini-ye araye-ha-ye tongborie va form-e sofalineh-ha-ye dore-ye safavi-ye (Motale’e-ye moredi tongbori-ha-ye koushk hasht-behesht va kakh ali-qapu Esfahan) [Accompaniment of Tongborie Arrays and Safavid Pottery Form (Case Study of Hasht Behesht Palace and Ali Qapu Palace Isfahan)]. Journal of Iranian Architecture Studies, 6(12), 5-28.
Aslani, H. (2014). Araye-ha-ye gachi dar me’mari-ye dore-ye eslami-ye Isfahan [Stucco Arrays in Architecture of Isfahan Islamic Period]. Tehran: Research Centre for Culture, Art, and Communication Publication.
Baer, E. (1998). Islamic ornament. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.
Blair, S. & Bloom, J. (2002). The Art and Architecture of Islam (Y. Azhand Trans.). Tehran: Soroush.
Bozorgmehri, Z. (2010). Amoud-ha-ye Irani [Iran Decorations]. Tehran: Soroush Danesh.
Chida-Razvi, M. (2017). The Imperial Mughal Mausoleum  of Jahangir: Homage and Legacy. Taasa Review, 26(3), 10-11.
Chida-Razvi, M. (2019). From Function to Form: Chini-khana in Safavid and Mughal Architecture. South Asian Studies, 35(1), 82-106.
Goosheh, F. (2011). A Study of Evolution of Tongborie in Iran and Presenting a Solution for Preserving and Restoring the Tongborie of Martha-Peters House (Unpublished Master Thesis of Restoration of Historical-Cultural Objects). Faculty of Conservation and Restoration, Isfahan Art University, Isfahan, Iran.
Gupta, I. & Sharma, R. (2013). Persian Paradisal Theme on the Wall of Mughal Tombs. American International Journal of Research in Humanities. Arts and Social Sciences, 3(1), 92-96.
Hosseini, A. (2013). Iran’s Sharabt and Sharbat Houses in Passage of Time. Bagh-e- Nazar, 10(25), 49-58.
Hamzavi, Y. (2009). Introduction of Stucco Decorations of Timurid Buildings in Yazd and Technology of Stucco Decorations of Seti Fatemeh Tomb 15AD. (Unpublished Master Thesis in Restoration of Historical-Cultural Objects). Faculty of Restoration and Conservation. Isfahan Art University, Isfahan, Iran.
Javanmardi, F. & Ghaforiyan, M. (2017). Bar-rasi-ye mohtava-ye peyvand-e motoun-e farhangi _tarikhi-ye Iran va hend dar ahde safavi [Content Study of Iran and India Cultural and Historical Texts Link in Safavid Period]. Proceedings of the Fourth Conference on Literary Text Studies (Center of Literary Studies and Research Papers), Tehran, Iarn.
Klingelhofer, W. (1988). The Jahangiri Mahal of the Agra Fort: Expression and Experience in Early Mughal Architecture. Muqarnas, (5), 153-169.
Khan S. & Imdad, A. (2011). Analysis of Typological   Evolution of Chini-khanas of the Sethi Havelis, Mohalla Sethian, Peshawar. South Asian Studies, 27(1), 75-88.
Koch, E. (1986). The Zahara Bagh (bagh-i-jahanara) at Agra. Journal of the Islamic Environmental Design Research Centre, 2, 30-37.
Koch, E. (2001). Mughal Art and Imperial Ideology. New delhi: oxford university press.
Koch, E. (2007). My Garden is Hindustan: The Mughal Emperor’s Realization of a Political Metaphor. Middle East Garden Traditions, 159-174.
Mesbahi, Sh. (2009). Gom-shode-i az honar va me’mari-ye safavi-ye (majmoe-ye sheikh safi-aldin ardabili) tarh-e baz-sazi-ye sardar va ehya-ye taz’inat-e an [A lost Art and Architecture of Safavid Period (Sheikh Safi al-Din Ardabili Complex) the plan of entrance restoration and revival of its decorations. Tehran: Resaneh Pardaz Publication/ Research Institute of Cultural Heritage, Handcrafts and Tourism.
Michell, G. (2007). The Majesty of Mughal Decoration (the art and architecture of islamic india). London: Thames & Hudson.
Nadeem Rezavi, S.  (2002). Iranian Influence On Medieval Indian Architecture. Aligarh: Tulika.
Pirnia, M. (2004). Sabk-shensi-ye me’mari-ye Irani [Study of Iranian Architecture Styles]. (Gh. Memarian ed.). Tehran: Pakhsh-e- Arian Publication.
Poorjafar, M., Baghai, P. & Poorjafar, A. (2015). Me’mari va shahr-sazi dore-ye eslami dar hendoustan [Architecture and Urbanization of Islamic Period in India]. Tehran: Tarbiat Modares University Publication.
Sa’adati, R. (2016). Azin-e tongborie dar me’mari-ye asr-e Safavi [Tongborie Decoration in Safavid Architecture]. Ardabil: Haft Ganj Publication.
Shalimar Bagh. (n.d). Retrieved Novembar 1, 2018, from  http://archnet.org/sites/5011/
Shamsi-Kopaee, S. (2010). Design and Building of Interior Decorations Inspired by Tongborie Art (Unpublished Master Thesis in Handicrafts). Faculty of Visual Arts, Isfahan Art University, Iran.
Valibeig, N. & Sa’adati, R. (2011). Taz’inat-e me’mari-ye aram-gah-e sheikh safi-al-din ardabili ba ta’kid bar araye-ha-ye tongbori-ye chini-khaneh [Architectural Decorations of Sheikh Safi al-Din Ardabili Tomb Emphasizing on Chini-Khana Tongborie Arrays]. Islamic Art, 14, 119-127
The Monthly Scientific Journal of Bagh-e Nazar
Volume 18, Issue 104
February 2022
Pages 17-28

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics